God of Eternal Flourishing, in whom the vastness of all time exists: Disrupt the forces of evil in this present age, that we might be drawn into your just future. Overturn the idolatry of public safety in this land and the unjust structures that manufacture it; relinquish also our death grip on systems of brutality, that all might know your abundant life. Grant us enough imagination to envision a reality beyond the subjugation of bodies, and the courage to live into a way of common flourishing whereby policing is abolished. Amen.
Credit: David F. Potter
Jesus, who was born in an occupied land, show us how to dismantle police occupation.
Jesus, who destroyed property in the temple, lead us to transformative destruction of property and systems
rather than people. Jesus, who challenged religious authority, give us courage to use our loud voices.
Jesus, who threw over tables, let us discern strategic disruptive action.
Jesus, who was chased to a cliff’s edge, let us be hidden from people and vehicles who would do us harm.
Jesus, who witnessed state sanctioned killings in his time, hold us in your arms and glue together with gold our shattered hearts.
Jesus, who was murdered by the state, protect us, your children.
Protect us. Protect us.
Protect us.
Amen.
Credit: Pastor Ellie VerGowe
Holy One, this prayer is birthed from the depths of weariness of a black woman to the black woman. God, you know we are tired. You see the world restricts us. You know that we need to rest. So, today God, we declare freedom—no longer will we be mandated surrogates for a nation that cannot accept us. We will be free. Jesus comes, so we know our spirits can be free. So, God, enlighten us to recognize the presence of Heaven within our Spirit and orient us toward an everlasting freedom.
For it is so. Amen.
Credit: Rev. Mahogany S. Thomas