Today begins the celebration of Black History Month. In 1926, Carter G. Woodson, father and founder of Black History week, believed there was a need to celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of blacks in America.

He chose a week in February because Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln both celebrated birthdays in February. In 1976, Black History week was extended to the entire month of February.

So here we are, 34 years later, still recognizing only one month, the shortest month in the year, as Black History Month.

What does it mean to you? Are we still sharing with our children the struggle of our ancestors? Do they really understand the sacrifices that were made so that they may experience all of the rights and privileges that our ancestor could not?

What are we doing as parents, professionals, preachers, politicians and teachers to make sure we as a people never forget the struggle? How did our ancestors make it possible for us to have access to many of the opportunities they never had?

They remembered life before being enslaved. They remembered how to worship their God in the midst of abuse, hatred and even death at the hands of the oppressors.

As we begin this month of remembrance, let’s begin with remembering the God that promises to liberate us all.

The Rev. Glencie Rhedrick

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Oh Merciful and Liberating God,

We come to You with an expression of our deepest love and thanks to You for standing by our ancestors as they survived many years of torture, abuse and death. We thank You, Lord, because You wiped the tears from their eyes as they watched loved ones being sold into slavery. We thank You for whispering into their hearts Your power to endure. We thank You, Lord, because You promised us just as You promised the Israelites to free all of us from our oppressors.

As we look back over our past, God, help us to see that we need You more today than ever before. Help us, Lord, not to squander away our freedoms, for in doing so we make the sacrifices of our forbearers to be in vain.

Help us, Oh, Lord, to be mindful that our forbearers fought for a freedom they would never see. Because they believed in You, the Almighty, they believed their offsprings would receive all the benefits of their sacrifices.

Help us, Oh, Lord, to be mindful that our ancestors left us a legacy of hope and forgiveness. Help us, Oh, Lord, to be mindful that our ancestors left us a legacy of an enduring and persevering Spirit. Help us, Oh, Lord, to be mindful that our ancestors left us with a legacy of determination. Help us to be mindful that our ancestors left us with a legacy of God’s chosen earthly vessels to rise up and lead us to do more to set the oppressed free. Help us to be mindful that our ancestors left us with a legacy of the praying and prayerful church. Help us, Oh, Lord, to be mindful that it is because of their understanding of Your Son, Jesus, the Christ, who died to set all persons free, that death was such a small price to pay to free a captive people.

Gracious God help us, Your children, today to pick up the mantle and embrace the legacy of our ancestors, to follow You more closely, to share Your Love and forgiveness to everyone and to work to set the oppressed free from all that enslaves us.

It is in the name of our Freeing Savior, Our Lord, Jesus, the Christ, we pray. Amen Amen and Amen.

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