“God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, God who has brought us thus far on the way.” What do you think James Weldon Johnson had in mind when he penned this section of his poem?

What do you think about when you sing this song? This past month we celebrated Black History and most of our churches sang this song every week. Did you simply go through the motions, or were you able to feel the passion of the words?

As I look on the condition of our economy and its impact on the African American community, we should be able to sing this song with vigor and determination to pull together and seek God for strength as we find the courage to endure. God has always and always will bring us through.

However, in order for us to endure and survive in these challenging times, we must stay on the path that God brings us to. (Let us remember the sacrifices of the 600 sisters and brothers who made their way on the Edmond Pettus Bridge that fateful Sunday in 1965 -- “Bloody Sunday” -- amid tear gas and billy clubs to send the message that all life is to be valued.

On that day 45 years ago, freedom marchers endured pain and suffering for justice for all of humanity. We must celebrate and learn from our history so that we never wander off and forget the struggles of those gone before us.

As we continue our journey toward resurrection Sunday, remember the sacrifice our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, made so that you and I could have life and life more abundantly. Remember the price paid to set us free, not only from our spiritual bondage but from our physical bondage as well. Remember the price paid to lift our burdens. Remember the price paid for us to experience eternal life.

Let us not forfeit the price paid by being self-absorbed in our own lives. Let us not forfeit the price paid by neglecting to take care of those in need of food, shelter, clothing and medical attention. Let us not forfeit the price paid by forgetting to stand in the gap for the oppressed, disadvantaged and the marginalized. Let us not forfeit the price paid by forgetting the struggles and sacrifices of our ancestors. Let us not forfeit the price paid!

Let us always remember in the God that frees and saves. Let us always remember that God sacrificed His son because He loves us. Let us not forget that our ancestors paid the price of sacrifice because they loved us, just as our Father in heaven. So commit this week to fast and pray in remembrance of those who suffered on our behalf.

Rev. Glencie Rhedrick

***
My Dearest Heavenly Father,

We come to you with our heads bowed in humble submission to Your omnipotence and Your wisdom. We thank You, Lord, for watching over our ancestors as You brought them out of the misery and horrors of slavery and injustice. We thank You, Lord, for keeping them in Your path as You led them to freedom.

We thank You, Lord, for strengthening them as they endured the days of lynching, Jim Crow laws and the Civil Rights Movement. We thank You, Lord, for the courage You placed in those who picked up the banner of social justice and freedom to ensure that Your children of today would experience life without chains. We thank You, Lord, for the hope and joy You planted in our ancestors as they blazed the freedom trail.

Oh, Lord, forgive us for squandering the sacrifice of those gone before. Forgive us, Lord, as we continue to see poverty and hunger grow around the world. Forgive us, Lord, as we continue to witness our youth destroy their lives through drugs, risky behavior, suicide and killing one another. Forgive us, Lord, as we continue to run from our call as Christians to feed the hungry, care for the sick, clothe the naked and free the imprisoned.

Lord, we ask now that You lift up another prophet in this generation to bring us out of this new form of slavery. Lord, help us to listen to their voices as they stand before those in power to say life is more important than things. Lord, continue to empower the church to stand on behalf of the neglected voices to proclaim the “acceptable year of the Lord” is here and now. Increase our partnership with You, Oh Lord, just as with our ancestors, to walk by faith and not by sight. Increase our partnership with You, Oh Lord, as we continue to bridge the gap that separates the haves and have-nots, restore hope for the hopeless and bring peace to uproar and chaos.

Lord, continue to watch over and provide for all those who are suffering loss in Chile, Haiti and surrounding countries. Allow them to know Your presence as they seek answers to the tragedies. Continue to bless them with Your miraculous ways as You preserve life and renew their hope in You.

Allow Your radiant sun to keep them warm and the blanket of the heavens at night provide them with protection. Clear the waters of impurities so that they may use it for nourishment. Comfort the comfortless and allow them to feel Your powerful arms holding them close to Your heart.

Watch over us, Oh Lord, and keep us forever in Your path, we pray. For it is in the strong name of You, Our Righteous, Restoring and Redemptive Savior, Jesus, the Blessed Christ, that we offer this prayer. Amen, Amen and Amen.
 

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