Have you ever wondered where we might be if it were not for the sacrifice, struggle and suffering of our ancestors?

Thank goodness they believed enough in their rights and privileges to die for them and to make this world a better place for you and me. As we are coming to a close of the recognized celebration of Black History Month, let us be mindful that it is our ancestors that we must celebrate. It is our ancestors that sought a triumphant God to empower them with a spirit of courage and an unyielding trust to break the shackles of slavery. It is our ancestors who learned to read at the risk of death. It is our ancestors who gathered in late evenings to worship and praise God. It is our ancestors who labored early in the morning and late in the evening in the fields to provide food for their masters.

Our ancestors were inventors, writers, doctors, lawyers, preachers and teachers, and yet they have not received the proper respect as contributors to this society. How can we honor our ancestors? How can we thank them posthumously for the shedding of their blood for the freedoms we now enjoy today?

We can thank them by continuing to work tirelessly to fight to ensure the freedom and the rights of all. We can thank them by eliminating poverty and hunger in the world. We can thank them by speaking out against the injustices and hatred because of ones gender, race, ethnicity and religion. We can thank them by remembering and honoring the sacredness of our relationship with God. We can thank them by remembering that it was God’s love that sustained them while on this journey. We can thank them by following in their footsteps as we seek God’s guidance and direction as we strive to make this world a better for generations to come.

Rev. Glencie Rhedrick

***

Oh Gracious God,

God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, God who has brought us thus far on the way! We give thanks, Oh God, for Your unfailing love and grace. We thank You Lord for the protection You gave our ancestors as they survived the injustices of the horrific systems of slavery. We thank You, for in the midst of their suffering they found a freeing God that gave them a spirit of hope, courage and holding on.

We come this day, Lord, seeking that same hope, courage and holding-on spirit as we are faced with new horrors of sufferings and inequality. We come this day, seeking Your guidance and direction as we fight to end crimes against humanity. We come this day, seeking Your strength to stand up against the enemy that seeks to destroy our youth.
We come this day Lord, seeking refuge and shelter from the storms of life. We come this day Lord, seeking Your hand as we reach to You for comfort and care. We come this day Lord, listening for Your still soft voice as You speak into us Your will for this journey.

Now for all that we seek, we seek to draw closer to You in order that we may be empowered to be the liberators for all of Your creation. Grant us Your grace and mercy. Grant us Your safety and protection. Continue to keep us in Your will Oh Lord. Continue to keep Us forever in Your path we pray.

For it is in the strong name of Your Son Jesus the Christ we pray daily.

Amen Amen and Amen
 

Sign up for our Weekly Email Newsletter Email: For Email Marketing you can trust

Other Ways to Share Twitter Del.icio.us MySpace

Discussions and Submission Agreement