Stephan Lawrence Day – 22nd April 2023 - Prayer

Challenging Spirit of God,

In our white middle-classed neighbourhood,

There isn’t anything to do with race,

I haven’t seen any form of racism in my place,

I haven’t noticed any racial violence on any one’s face,

So then, what’s this Stephen Lawrence day to do with me & my faith?

What am I to pray about, Oh God?

 

Liberating Spirit of God,

On this 30th anniversary of Stephen Lawrence’s brutal killing by the cruel forces of racism,

We pray Lord, have mercy on us,

Forgive us of our privileges,

Forgive us of our prejudices,

Forgive us of our complacency,

Forgive us of our supremacy,

Forgive us of our insensitivity to the racial discrimination in the world,

Forgive us for being narrow in our vision of the world around us,

Forgive us for being untouched by the injustice of racism happening in our world,

Forgive us for being silent spectators to racial attacks on our sisters and brothers,

Forgive us for compromising our Christian discipleship which affirms on racial justice,

Forgive us for normalising oppressive status quos and for the division of ‘us’ and ‘them.’

 

Empowering Spirit of God,

Stephan Lawrence was an 18-year-old student who was studying for his A levels,

We pray for the pedagogy of the oppressed,

Help our education systems to provide fair, inclusive, safe spaces for young people.

 

Stephan Lawrence dreamt of becoming an architect,

We pray for our dreams for a just world,

Help us to dream and strive for a world, where equality, peace, love and justice will thrive.

 

Stephan Lawrence’s murder investigation by the police was infamous and scandalous,

We pray for the public institutions, civil society, faith communities and for churches,

Help us to affirm transparency & accountability for justice in all cases and at all times. Help us to realise that injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.

 

Stephen Lawrence’s family’s tireless campaign for justice brought a change to the double jeopardy laws and also resulted in the establishment of Racial Justice Sunday,

We pray for advocacy and campaigns for justice to our creation today,

Help us as faith communities to be prophets of justice, to be forerunners of inclusion, to be champions of love, to be practitioners of compassion and to be channels of life in all its fullness. May your courage lead us and strengthen us in this our commitment for peace & justice. Amen.

 

@rajpatta, 22nd April 2023