Scripture: Psalm 122:6-9
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May they prosper who love you. Peace be within your walls, and security within your towers.” For the sake of my relatives and friends I will say, “Peace be within you.” For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your good.
Thought for the Day: I have refused to be a 24-hour news junkie when it came to the court proceedings in Missouri, yet it was difficult to find any news without being bombarded with every possible angle on the story. And when there wasn’t a new angle, it sure appeared as if someone in the news outlets would make one up or at least suggest something outrageous to give them a topic for another 30 minutes of mindless gibberish.
Now I do not pretend to know whether the Grand Jury made the correct decision, and I do not know what it is like to live as an African-American in a nation that is still burdened by racism. Though amidst what I do not know, I am pretty certain that what we are seeing on TV right now is not just a response to the Grand Jury’s decision. It is rooted in historic suffering and injustice that continues to this day. To pretend that I would have a different reaction if the situation was reversed is both naive and a little ridiculous. All I know is that I am called to serve my sisters and brothers who are hurting, and one of the ways I can serve them is by praying for the peace of Ferguson; praying for peace inside their neighborhoods; praying for peace within them as individuals. And of course, praying for peace assumes I will act peacefully in all my circumstances and interactions.
Prayer: As you have taught me not to judge, O Lord of Love, show me how I can be a part of a lasting change within my community and nation. Amen.
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