2.2.21 -Universal Prayer - Black History Month (Please see Description for Prayer)

St. Joseph Health, Home Care Services

2-2-2021 Universal Prayers in Honor of Black History Month 2021 Good morning and welcome, Liz Wessel here, and as we gather together, taking a moment out of our busy lives as we share in a brief time of prayer and peacefulness. Resist the temptation to multi-task and instead gift yourself with 5min of peace and prayer. Find a sitting position that allows you to be alert—and also relaxed. Close your eyes and rest your hands in an easy, effortless way. Together we will take in a deep breath and as you exhale release your cares, again breathe in and honor those whom we hold in our hearts. Listen to the wind it talks Listen to the silence it speaks Listen to your heart it knows (Native American Proverb) Ring the chime: God of our understanding, we come to you in these quiet moments, seeking that which is beyond ourselves. In this sacred space; we join in solidarity and prayer, as we lift up our brothers and sisters of color and express our hopes and our dreams for a better world. God of each Heart and Mind, We are reminded this morning, of the importance of listening. In the wind, and in the silence, there is a voice that speaks. Help us to remember that it isn’t necessarily the human voice where wisdom springs forth and communication lies. May we quiet ourselves in order to hear. May we quiet the exterior and the interior so that we can connect with our own heart. For within the heart, it knows. May the messages heard from the wind and the silence be instilled into our hearts today. (Samantha Gilbertson) Spirit of the Living God, As we gather this morning, allow your spirit to fill our very being. Most gracious and loving God, we remember the struggles of our people, black people, people of African descent, your people and we thank you for your grace, your love, and your mercy. We thank you for leaders that you continue to place in high places and ordinary places. Inspire each of us to work more faithfully for justice and dignity of life everywhere. Lord God, we remember the hurts of exclusion and prejudice, but we know that you can raise our vision above all barriers and give us wisdom and courage to make this a better world. Spirit of Abundance, God of Grace, Mother of Hope, We pause now to remember those stories that are all around us, But so often passed over, Those stories that when told are shared because Of what someone is, not who they are. This month in our nation's character Is Black History month. Help us to realize that Black history is All our histories. May the day come when these stories Are so wildly taught that no month need Be separately divided. We know this day will not come until we as a people Make different choices. We pray now for those new choices. May we come to see a day where the prison system Becomes redemptive, not punitive. A day where the legal system learns to focus more squarely on the facts, And the not colors of our skin. A day where our schools are as well funded, as the needs demand. May our role models be allowed to excel when they thrive, And not be taken down for their rich heritage. We know this will require a shift in power. And this can be scary for some. Give those full of fear - hope. May we come to know grace, So that our hearts will not be hardened to the pain around us. There are so many beautiful stories needing to be told. And we need to get the chance to hear them. Widen our vision so that the history that is shared this month, And every month, Come to be known as our history too. We are most human when we see the humanity in others. (Author Unknown) We conclude our time together with thoughts of truth and justice which stir us from our ease and move us to acts of goodness, and for the contemplation of life which fills us with hope that what is good and lovely cannot perish. Amen. May you feel Love’s presence with you as you navigate through your day. (New Union Prayer Book)