A Litany of Lament
Written by the Pastors of Circle of Hope in Philadelphia, PA – June 1, 2020
We need the Holy Spirit.
We join together to lament the brutal death of George Floyd. We feel anger and grief. We stand together against the entrenched systemic racism that makes his death possible and our response to his death so necessary. We lament the world’s commitment to white supremacy, and the ways we have participated in it. It warps the government’s policies, our communities’ togetherness and our personal imaginations.
How long, O Lord? Will you forget us forever?
How long will you hide your face from us?
Show us your face! Our eyes are blurry with tears. Our hearts are heavy with the years of racism’s ugly reign. Our voices are raw from crying out, in the streets and in our prayers.
How long, O Lord? Will you forget us forever?
How long will you hide your face from us?
Another black person killed by state sanctioned violence. Another life ended because the lies fed to his killer from birth by a culture birthed from black oppression. And another collective bracing for crushing disappointment when the powers claim that nothing can be done. Justice is not rolling down. Righteousness, where is your stream?
How long, O Lord? Will you forget us forever?
How long will you hide your face from us?
A nationwide crackdown by militarized police. Agitators and liars stoking the flames. Desperation broadcast on TV. Center City on lockdown. Our whole world on lockdown for months. How long, O Lord?Holy Spirit, our Comforter, we need you to comfort the mothers of the slain. We mourn with them. In our common grief, Comforter,
Comfort us.
Holy Spirit, our Advocate, we need you to advocate for the justice we can’t seem to find. Grow our trust as we move with your movement. Advocate,
Advocate for us.
Holy Spirit, our Counselor, we need your counsel. Show us new ways to be your church in this trouble. Give us fresh vision to respond in love to a world consumed by hate and fear. Counselor,
Counsel us.
Holy Spirit, the One Who Walks Beside Us, walk with us through the uncertainty of today and tomorrow. Be beside us in our pain and isolation. We know you know the way. We know you know our pain. One Who Walks Beside Us, Paraclete,
Walk with us.
Holy Spirit, O Presence of God, make the sweetness of your peace apparent in every heart. Even in the midst of trouble. Even in the face of evil. Make our safety unshakable, real, actual, and for all. With us, your beloved ones, O Presence,
Be present with us.
Holy Spirit, Spirit of God, Spirit of Truth, we trust you to be true to us now, even right now, in this time together, connected across the region and even across the time of when we are watching this. We pray in the name of Jesus,
Amen.