by Phoebe Farag Mikhail

For the souls of the named and the unnamed, the known and the unknown, who have died in the United States of America unjustly because of the color of their skin, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord have mercy.

For the families and loved ones of those who have died unjustly, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord have mercy.

For those who deny such injustices exist, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord have mercy.

For those who must interact daily with racist friends, colleagues, and even family members, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord have mercy.

For those racist friends, colleagues, and family members, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord have mercy.

For the police who want to serve their communities well, that they might be given the tools and training and their power be limited, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord have mercy.

For a policing system built on justice and accountability, public safety and peace, service and protection to the most vulnerable, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord have mercy.

For those who are demonstrating and protesting in the streets, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord have mercy.

For those how have lost property or livelihood during demonstrations, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord have mercy.

For those who value property above human life, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord have mercy.

For wisdom and humility to the leaders and decision-makers, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord have mercy.

For a nation in need of repentance.

Lord have mercy.

For healing, hope, justice and reconciliation.

Lord have mercy.

For the souls of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breanna Taylor, Atatiana Jefferson, Botham Sean, Stephon Clark, Jordan Edwards, Jordan Davis, Alton Sterling, Mike Brown, Tamir Rice, Trayvon Martin, Sean Bell, Oscar Grant, Sandra Bland, Philando Castile, John Crawford, Terrence Crutcher, Keith Scott, Eric Garner, Walter Scott, Freddie Gray, Clementa C. Pinckney, Cynthia Marie Graham-Hurd, Susie Jackson, Ethel Lee Lance, Depayne Middleton-Doctor, Tywanza Sanders, Daniel L. Simmons, Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, Myra Thompson, Jonathan Ferrell, Renisha McBride, and Aiyana Jones, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy.

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Read Putting Joy into Practice: Seven Ways to Lift Your Spirit from the Early Church