Read

A Prayer for Racial Justice

Creator:
Published:
January 9, 2024
June 18, 2020
Read this Catholic prayer against racism.|Read this Catholic prayer against racism.

In the face of such a sweeping and complex issue such as systemic racism, it doesn’t take much to feel overwhelmed. It feels like such an urgent and important reality to change, but what can we actually do besides lend our solidarity by protesting together?

There are a number of ways to examine ourselves and our culture and to stand up to offer our voice for those on the margins. But even those actions can seem fleeting and insubstantial.

One important truth to remember is that, whatever your race, the work of dismantling racism happens just as much inside of us as it does outside of us. It requires motivations that are pure and true and that intend the good of others in love. In that regard, prayer is a powerful tool because it puts this action in the context of God’s work to renew the world. Trusting in God gives us persistence and strength, and it also keeps us humble and honest with ourselves.

This prayer for racial justice was written by Jo Cecilio, rector of a women’s hall at the University of Notre Dame. She shared it with more than 1,000 people at a campus prayer service and march on June 1, 2020. It moved many there — perhaps you’ll find it a valuable resource in our common struggle for racial justice.

God of mercy and compassion,

We come before you today in grief, in anger, in mourning over the deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Philando Castille, Tamir Rice, Eric Garner, Trayvon Martin, Sean Bell, Sandra Bland, George Floyd and the litany of names of men and women who have died at the hands of those charged to protect and serve. You know each one of them by name, and we know that each were wonderfully created in your own image and likeness. Their lives matter to you and to us, and so we ask you, God, to etch their memories forever on our hearts.

Lord, we are tired of the senseless acts of violence, the injustices, the oppression, the racism, and the ignored laments of black and brown communities. Hear us, Lord. Open the hearts, minds, and ears of all your children to hear and understand the cries of pain, of sadness, of trauma, and of immense loss.

Your Son, Jesus came to us that we “may have life, and have it abundantly.” May each of us be committed to sharing life and love in our world. May we speak truth to power. May we allow the Spirit to lead us to act for justice. Lord, we invite you to use us so that we might bring about a transformation in our world; a transformation that makes a beloved community real here on this earth.

Amen.

Creators:
Grotto
Published:
January 9, 2024
June 18, 2020
On a related note...
4 Points of Common Ground When it Comes to Abortion

4 Points of Common Ground When it Comes to Abortion

Renée Roden

I Suck at Meditating, But Journaling Helps Me Instead

I Suck at Meditating, But Journaling Helps Me Instead

Emily Mae Mentock

The Value of Memento Mori in this Pandemic

The Value of Memento Mori in this Pandemic

Chris Hazell

This Juneteenth, A Moment to Recall ‘Where We’ve Been’

This Juneteenth, A Moment to Recall ‘Where We’ve Been’

Grotto Shares

The Real Impact a Blood Drive Can Make | Little Ways: Donate

The Real Impact a Blood Drive Can Make | Little Ways: Donate

Grotto

How Having “Soul Sessions” With My Friends Transformed My Faith

How Having “Soul Sessions” With My Friends Transformed My Faith

Alexandra Bendixen

A reflective narrative by Alexandra Bendixen.

What Is a Sacristy?

What Is a Sacristy?

Grotto

What Grief Is Teaching Me About Control and Surrender

What Grief Is Teaching Me About Control and Surrender

Sophie Caldecott

How to Start (and Sustain) a New Prayer Practice

How to Start (and Sustain) a New Prayer Practice

Marye Colleen Larme

#RejuvenateTheChurch | Synod 2018

#RejuvenateTheChurch | Synod 2018

Grotto

Join the Movement to #RejuvenateTheChurch

Join the Movement to #RejuvenateTheChurch

Sarah Yaklic

Why You Should Be Reading Outside

Why You Should Be Reading Outside

LuElla D'Amico

Why Pope Francis is Praying for Social Media This Month

Why Pope Francis is Praying for Social Media This Month

Grotto Shares

5 Simple Ways to Get Into Prayer Mode

5 Simple Ways to Get Into Prayer Mode

Lillian Fallon

Brian Doyle’s Writing and the Practice of Wonder

Brian Doyle’s Writing and the Practice of Wonder

Devin Kelly

What My Faith Taught Me About the Power of Fashion

What My Faith Taught Me About the Power of Fashion

Lillian Fallon

Voices of Synod 2018 | Briana Regina Santiago

Voices of Synod 2018 | Briana Regina Santiago

Grotto

3 Lessons from Two Saints Being Canonized Today

3 Lessons from Two Saints Being Canonized Today

Mike Jordan Laskey

How Do I Know God Exists? He Found Me in the Desert

How Do I Know God Exists? He Found Me in the Desert

Patrick Smith

Nonprofit Combats Racial Disparity in the Bail System

Nonprofit Combats Racial Disparity in the Bail System

Grotto

newsletter

We’d love to be pals.

Sign up for our newsletter, and we’ll meet you in your inbox each week.