June 7, 2020

Opening Prayer

Wake me up Lord, so that the evil of racism
 
finds no home within me.
 
Keep watch over my heart Lord,
 
and remove from me any barriers to your grace,
 
that may oppress and offend my brothers and sisters.
 
Fill my spirit Lord, so that I may give
 
services of justice and peace.
 
Clear my mind Lord, and use it for your glory.
 
And finally, remind us Lord that you said,
 
“blessed are the peacemakers,
 
for they shall be called children of God.”
 
Amen.  
 
 

This prayer is from For The Love of One Another (1989), a special message from the Bishops’ Committee on Black Catholics of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops on the Occasion of the Tenth Anniversary of the Pastoral Letter, Brothers and Sisters to Us, the U.S. Catholic bishops’ Pastoral Letter on Racism (1979).

Let us worship God

Closing Prayer

God our Creator, you created humankind in your image,

and blessed us with your love. 

Help us to show that love to one another as we work for equality for all

races in education, housing, public services, and employment opportunity. 

Give us strength and courage to speak out against injustice, and to work for

the transformation of unjust systems that keep some in bondage: that we

may more fully live out your kingdom here on earth; through Jesus Christ

your son, who came to set us free.

Amen

From the Episcopal Diocese of West Virginia

Resources

On Race

Award Winning Documentary 13th

Acts of Racial Injustice: a Letter From American Baptist Churches

Raising Race Conscious Children

Be the Bridge: Racial Healing, Equity, and Reconciliation

On Spiritual Guidance

A link to the daily devotional series the First Fiftee

Instructions guiding you through an Examen prayer 

A good app for an Examen prayer for your phone or tablet

Supporting God’s Work through Central

We encourage you to continue your faithful support of Central’s ministry in these days. Offerings can be mailed to Central’s office (501 S. 4th St Springfield, IL 62701) or you can make an online offering here:
https://cbcchurchfamily.churchcenter.com/giving/to/local-operating