Prayers for Our City: January 13, 2020 – MLK, Jr. Prayer
“We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.” ~Martin Luther King, Jr.
We join together this week, Father God, to honor the memory of Martin Luther King, Jr. and all those who have bravely led us in combating racial inequality through Christian nonviolent resistance. Lord, You created the one human family and endowed each person with great dignity! We cry out to You for help to overcome the sin of racism. Grant us, by Your grace, to eliminate this blight from our hearts and the social and civil institutions in Huntsville/Madison County. Fill our hearts with love for You and all men so that we may work with You in healing our community (and this nation) from racial injustice.
We ask blessings on the opportunities we have this week to unite together to honor and celebrate the life and work of Martin Luther King, Jr. Provide protection and support for those You have raised up in our community and throughout our nation to carry on this great work.
The University of Alabama in Huntsville will celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Thursday, January 16, at 3:00 p.m. in Room 112 of the Student Services Building with special guest, Bob Zellner, the son and grandson of KKK members, who joined forces with Martin Luther King Jr. and helped organize the Freedom Rides of 1961.
Mr. Zellner captivates audiences with the untold stories of the Civil Rights Movement and his dedication to fighting the rights of others. Drawing on decades of experience guiding the movement and his ongoing active role, he presents a modern-day message for combating deep-seated racism, discrimination, and prejudice and sparks widespread social change. Read more about Mr. Zellner and this event here.
Join together in this prayer by Martin Luther King, Jr.
Most Gracious and all-wise God before whose face the generations rise and fall; Thou in whom we live, move and have our being. We thank Thee for all of Thy good and gracious gifts: for life and for health, for food and for raiment, for the beauty of nature and the love of human nature. We come before Thee painfully aware of our inadequacies and shortcomings. We realize we stand surrounded by mountains of love and we deliberately dwell in the valley of hate; We stand amid the forces of truth and deliberately lie; We are forever offered the high road and yet we choose to travel the low road. For these sins, O God, forgive. Break the spell of that which blinds our minds. Purify our hearts that we may see Thee. O God, in these turbulent days when fear and doubt are mounting high, give us broad visions, penetrating eyes, and power of endurance. Help us to work with renewed vigor for a warless world, for a better distribution of wealth, and for a brotherhood that transcends race or color. In the name and spirit of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
Prayer by Martin Luther King, Jr. Published in The Papers of Martin Luther King, Jr. Vol. VI: Advocate of the Social Gospel, September 1948-March 1963
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