Lord…
We thank you for your church, founded upon your Word, that challenges us to do more than sing and pray, but go out and work as though the very answer to our prayers depended on us and not upon you. Help us to realize that humanity was created to shine like the stars and live on through all eternity. Keep us, we pray, in perfect peace. Help us to walk together, pray together, sing together, and live together until that day when all God’s children — Black, White, Red, Brown and Yellow — will rejoice in one common band of humanity in the reign of our Lord and of our God, we pray. Amen.
The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
Tomorrow, we will celebrate the life and work of Martin Luther King Jr. I came across this prayer a few weeks ago, and it seemed fitting to save it for tomorrow. Today, though, I couldn't stop thinking about the themes in this prayer. The Church has such an opportunity for good work, for unity, and for peace. I realize apart from Jesus and his coming again, there will not be perfect peace. But why wouldn't we strive for something closest to it? Why wouldn't the Church pursue "one common band of humanity"?
I sat in a pew today feeling grateful and hopeful. At times, I've been very critical of the Church. I've seen its flaws and its errors, and I've felt justified in my feelings of discontent. I haven't thanked God for his church. I haven't prayed for unity and peace within his church. I have complained and cried and wondered why it doesn't already look like the picture envisioned here by Dr. King. And today, I am humbled by this prayer. I humbled by his hope and trust in God. As I learn from brothers and sisters of color, I see that the Kingdom of God is about unity of his people. He's about reconciliation and redemption. Issues of race and diversity are not just a topic to be discussed; they are absolutely essential to God's Church. A friend and coworker of mine reminds me of this often. We must be praying this prayer. I must be asking God to give me a hunger for unity and for active love.
Only under God's sovereignty will perfect peace come about. Dr. King prayed with this understanding, asking God to not only guide our efforts, but to reign and rule over them. If we are seeking to grow in our relationship with Jesus, we must see King's prayer as a vital part of knowing him. We must see the Church as a people to be unified and empowered.
I'm writing this for myself, mostly. I'm reading and rereading the words of this prayer to align myself with the heart of God. I am learning, and I need the Father's guidance, as well as the Church's. As I sat in our church today, I was reminded of what God's been already teaching me. Community takes work. Unity takes work. When previously I'd been discouraged by this work, today I felt excited about the possibilities of what God would do with this church family. I'm praying with Dr. King - praying for God's Word to ground us and send us out into the work of unifying his Church. So, Father, teach me how to hunger for unity and peace. Grow patience and humility within me so that I may learn from my brothers and sisters. Allow me to see your Kingdom with bigger and more accurate perspective. And ultimately, bring your people to the place where we may "walk together, pray together, sing together, and live together".
We trust that you are faithful, God. In Jesus' name, Amen.