My Prayer

The killing of George Floyd and subsequent unrest have left me heartbroken to the core.  COVID-19 has been difficult, but there was a sense that we were all suffering equally and dealing with something together that we had not experienced before. Sadly, this is not the first time a black life has ended too soon.  With each loss, we hoped it would not happen again.  But it has, and we do not experience it equally. 

When the Pharisee asked Jesus in Matthew 22:36-40, “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?” Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’  This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’  On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.” Jesus clarifies our neighbor as every human being we encounter in the parable of the Good Samaritan. These are the words of our Savior who gave everything for us.  He held nothing back. I wish that were true of me.

This month I am offering all I have in this moment of grief; it is a prayer for wisdom, forgiveness, and personal responsibility.

Father, forgive me for each time I have defined your children in terms of “us” and “them” instead of simply “we.”  We are all your children and you bore all our sins on the cross regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, color, or political persuasion.  You chose to be the sacrifice, not for some but for all.  Forgive me for not understanding this indescribable sacrificial gift in its fullness!

Father, keep me from seeing anyone through the filter of “different” except when I see the diversity of your children as I would a magnificent bouquet, full of exquisite color, aroma, and delight. Forgive me for not loving others as you have loved me.

I seek your peace, not as the world gives, but as you give. Manifest your peace in and through me.

I seek your compassion, not the false compassion of meaningless words but with active compassion that gives, protects, and comforts.  Manifest your compassion through me.

Thank you for your acceptance just as I am; manifest your acceptance through me.

Thank you for your kindness; manifest your kindness through me.

Thank you for your forgiveness.  As you have forgiven me, manifest your forgiveness to others through me.

Thank you for understanding the longing and pain in my heart. Manifest your understanding through me for your children everywhere, at any time.

Finally, thank you for your unconditional love and grace. Manifest Your love and grace through me to all who are hurt, alone, misunderstood, or disenfranchised. 

Grant these requests for your namesake, not just for today, but always. Amen.

Blessings,

Personal Parables is the blog of Dyann Shepard. Get Dyann’s complementary study in Proverbs and prayer guide, What to Do When You Don’t Feel Good Enough. If you need encouragement to remember the truth about yourself in times of doubt and anxiety, this free 5-day study is for you. Follow Dyann and Personal Parables on Instagram and Facebook. Dyann is available for speaking, guest blogging, and article writing.

Scripture for Meditation

I invite you to meditate on these verses.

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Psalm 119:28-32 (NASB)

My soul weeps because of grief;
Strengthen me according to Your word.
Remove the false way from me,
And graciously grant me Your law.
I have chosen the faithful way;
I have placed Your ordinances before me.
I cling to Your testimonies;
O Lord, do not put me to shame! I shall run the way of Your commandments,
For You will enlarge my heart.

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Micah 6:8 – What does the Lord require of you? To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.

I John 3:18 – Little children, let us not love with word or tongue, but in deed and truth.

John 15:12-14 – This is My commandment, that you love one another, as I have loved you.  Greater love has no one than this than to lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.

I John 4:21 – And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also.

I John 3:20, 21 – If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar, for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this is the commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also.

Matthew 6:9 – Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the sons of God.

John 3:16 – For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.

Psalm 85:10 – Lovingkindness and truth have met together, righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

Psalm 19:12-14 (NASB)

Who can discern his errors? Acquit me of hidden faults.
Also, keep back Your servant from presumptuous sins;
Let them not rule over me;
Then I will be blameless,
And I shall be acquitted of great transgression.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight,
O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.

Music for Reflection

I invite you to listen to these songs, selected to accompany my post, My Prayer.

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