Develop a Discipleship System
Praying for Change: Daily Prayers for Anti-Racism
By Derek Weber
While the headlines may have receded, the sin of racism continues to be seen and felt on both individual and systemic levels. Dismantling racism is not a short-term task but a lifelong moving forward to perfection in love—to use founder of the Methodist movement, John Wesley’s words. Therefore, Discipleship Ministries and other agencies and bodies of The United Methodist Church will continue to provide resources and guidance on how to become anti-racist individuals and churches. Please seek out the help you need to maintain your efforts to transform your community into an anti-racist fellowship.
The Worship Team of Discipleship Ministries believes, however, that such a change will not happen unless the whole process is bathed in prayer every step along the way. To that end, we will continue to provide daily prayers to help keep us all centered on the ongoing journey of transformation. From Monday through Friday, a new prayer will be posted here for your use as personal devotion, to share in your small group, or for use in corporate worship.
If you wish to receive these prayers each day in your email, the process for signing up is outlined below. If you would like to submit a prayer for anti-racism, click here to contact us. Join with us in this season of prayer and change in our denomination and beyond.
May 23, 2025
God, we know that true change begins within each of us. Let us not be complicit with oppression; rather, guide us as we examine our own hearts, to confront our own prejudices and unconscious biases.
May we, as a society, recognize the inherent worth and dignity of every individual, acutely aware that our differences in race, background, or circumstance can bring us closer together.
Grant us the wisdom to forgive ourselves and others, to take the burdens of ignorance of old off our shoulders.
In times of uncertainty and division, remind us of the teachings of love, compassion, and forgiveness that you have bestowed upon us. Let these principles guide our actions as we seek to uplift the marginalized, dismantle systemic racism, and build a society that truly embodies the principles of equality and justice for all.
May we, as your children, work together to create a world where racism has no place and where all can thrive in your grace.
Amen.
Written by Sarah Yang originally for 40 Days on Anti-Racism: Learning to Be Fluent in Two Cultures, cited in For the Healing of Woulds Inflicted by Racism, The United Church of Canada, https://united-church.ca/prayers/healing-wounds-inflicted-racism.
May 22, 2025
Triune God, help us be ever faithful to your example: affirming of our unique identities, while remaining unified as one body in you. Help us seek out the voices that are missing and empower the marginalized. Let our witness of repentance, justice, and reconciliation bring glory to You, O Lord.
Katelin Hansen, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Training, at the United Methodist Church and Community Development for All People, cited in Ways United Methodists Can Stand Against Racism, UMC.org, https://www.umc.org/en/content/ways-united-methodists-can-take-a-stand-against-racism.
May 21, 2025
“Joy is subversive.” I saw that somewhere recently, Jesus, who came to offer life in abundance. We are weighed down these days, being taught to live in fear; being encouraged to view our neighbors with suspicion. Judging by skin color, country of origin, and cultural and gender preference is heavy work. Difficult and oppressive work. Governing by hate is no way to live. Help us resist. Help us stand against this rising tide of division and supremacy. Help us find joy in the other. Help us laugh together. Help us enjoy another culture, another language, another way of living in the world. That sounds so wonderful and an antidote to the heaviness of hate. Lift our hearts, God of joy, that we can breathe hope again. In Christ’s name. Amen.
Derek Weber, May 2025
May 20, 2025
Wise and loving God,
you have created, and are still creating,
a world rich with difference and diversity.
You have created all people in your image,
each expressing their being and living their life
in valid, special relationship with you.
For all this, we give you praise.
For historical acts of injustice and oppression
perpetuated against Aboriginal communities,
Black, and various Asian communities
in this abundant land of the First Nations:
Forgive us, merciful God.
For the times we have failed to recognize racism
in ourselves, in our church, in our society,
and the times we have failed to take action,
Forgive us, long-suffering God.
For complicity in systems of privilege and power
over those whose skin colour, culture, or creed
differ from those of the majority, even today:
Forgive us, compassionate God.
Grant us courage never to let a racist joke pass in our hearing,
commitment to insist on equal treatment of all persons and groups—
including ourselves if oppressed—
even at the risk of being unpopular or misunderstood:
We beseech you, God of justice.
Grant us patience in enduring periods of non-action,
persistence in resisting the evil of radical oppression,
and faithfulness in working toward racial justice
among your people, in the church, and in the world:
We beseech you, God of hope.
And grant us humility and wisdom to discern
when it is that your Spirit must come to accomplish
that which human beings and groups cannot.
We pray in the name of Jesus, himself
the bread of justice and the cup of solidarity. Amen.
A litany suitable for the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination by Wehn-In Ng, from That All May Be One: A Resource for Educating toward Racial Justice (The United Church of Canada, 2004), cited in Litany for Racial Justice, The United Church of Canada, https://united-church.ca/prayers/litany-racial-justice.
May 19, 2025
Father, we pray for those children and families who have experienced trauma of all types, but especially those related to race. May they have teachers, counselors, neighbors, and friends who are able to support them in their day-to-day lives.
“Friday 17,” February 2023 Anti-Racism Prayer Calendar, Church of the Servant, Grand Rapids, Michigan, https://www.churchoftheservantcrc.org/february-2023-anti-racism-prayer-calendar/.
Rev. Dr. Derek Weber, Director of Preaching Ministries, served churches in Indiana and Arkansas and the British Methodist Church. His PhD is from University of Edinburgh in preaching and media. He has taught preaching in seminary and conference settings for more than 20 years.
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