A White Pastor's Prayer

Below is an Opinion piece that I wrote for our local newspaper

And is running in today's edition...

I'm offering it to you not because it has anything to do with my cancer journey

But because it is something of much importance that is heavy on my mind.

Heavenly Father,

You have said that we are to weep with those who weep

That we are to treat others as we ourselves would want to be treated

And that we are to love our neighbors as ourselves.

You have said that what is good and what you require of us

Is to act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly before you.

You have said that being in Christ is what matters

Not one’s nationality or race or education or social position

And that Christ is equally available to all.

You have told us to pray 

“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” 

And have given us a beautiful glimpse of heaven in the book of Revelation

Where people from every race and language and people group and nation are part of your glorious eternal plan.

And…you have said that faith without action is worthless!

It is no faith at all to say that I believe these things without truly living them out.  

It merely amounts to cheap words.

Heavenly Father,

Forgive me.  

My actions have not been a reflection of your truth.  

My actions have not demonstrated faith, but fear.  

They have not shown empathy, but apathy.

I have never deliberately shown bias against my black brother or sister.  

I do not think I could be called prejudiced.  

I have always spoken against injustice and called for equality.

But...I have not wept with those who weep.  

I have not sought to identify with and understand and feel...

The fear and humiliation and hurt experienced on a daily basis by my black brothers and sisters. 

I have never had to have a conversation with my sons...

About what to do and how to act when they are stopped by the police.  

I have never questioned the “whitewashing” of our American history 

Or the absence of African American or Native American heroes in our school books.

I have been content to build relationships with 

But not really increase in understanding of 

What it is like to grow up black or brown or yellow in the United States of America.  

I have been deluded to believe that racism is only in the South 

And that every advantage to me is also available to everyone else equally where I live and work and worship.

Forgive me Father!

I have allowed myself to be blinded by my own desire for comfort 

Instead of being willing to identify with and do something about 

The very real fears and injustices experienced by my brothers and sisters.  

I have been like the priest in the story of the Good Samaritan 

Who made a wide detour away from the wounded man on the road to Jerusalem 

Rather than risk personal injury himself.

I have been content to speak rather than act 

When your Word tells us we should lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters,

And questions our love for God if it is only with words or speech 

And not with actions or in truth.

Father, forgive me!

Show me how to love like Jesus loved.  

Help me to love my neighbor – all of them – as myself.  

Help me to weep with those who weep.  

Help me to fight injustice, to love mercy and to do it all while walking humbly before You!

In the Name of Jesus, Amen.