Develop a Discipleship System
Praying for Change: Daily Prayers for Anti-Racism
By Derek Weber
While the headlines may have receded, the sin of racism continues to be seen and felt on both individual and systemic levels. Dismantling racism is not a short-term task but a lifelong moving forward to perfection in love—to use founder of the Methodist movement, John Wesley’s words. Therefore, Discipleship Ministries and other agencies and bodies of The United Methodist Church will continue to provide resources and guidance on how to become anti-racist individuals and churches. Please seek out the help you need to maintain your efforts to transform your community into an anti-racist fellowship.
The Worship Team of Discipleship Ministries believes, however, that such a change will not happen unless the whole process is bathed in prayer every step along the way. To that end, we will continue to provide daily prayers to help keep us all centered on the ongoing journey of transformation. From Monday through Friday, a new prayer will be posted here for your use as personal devotion, to share in your small group, or for use in corporate worship.
If you wish to receive these prayers each day in your email, the process for signing up is outlined below. If you would like to submit a prayer for anti-racism, click here to contact us. Join with us in this season of prayer and change in our denomination and beyond.
November 28, 2023
Benevolent One,
Why should I need a hashtag to remind myself to be generous? Maybe because I’m not very good at it. Maybe because I tend to look inward, to feel inward, to protect myself and my resources rather than share them, rather than give of myself. So, maybe some bandwagons are worth climbing onto. Maybe some movements are worth moving alongside.
Once again I ask you to help me consider to whom I will give. Open my eyes to patterns and prejudices and preferences in my donations. How can I use my giving to show my passion for a multicultural world? How can I support those efforts that are building bridges rather than walls? How can I ensure my pattern of philanthropy is many-colored and justice-driven? Help me, God of giving and of receiving, be generous enough to help a world respect and uplift. Help me love as you do. In Christ’s name. Amen.
Derek Weber, November 2023
November 27, 2023
Cyber Monday
How shall I spend my money, God of abundance? Or is it arrogance to assume that it matters to you what I do? In the larger scheme of things, my little bit doesn’t seem to matter too much. Where my dollars go won’t change the world when we talk in terms of trillions as a matter of course. So, I can just click and buy on this Cyber Monday without a care in the world.
Except that each click is not so anonymous. Each purchase adds to the bottom line somewhere. So, guide my thoughts, guide my choices, guide my clicks this day and any day, God, who casts a vision of beloved community. Let me take a moment to see who my purchase supports. Let me consider the businesses I am helping to thrive and grow – local, minority-owned, green-inclined – whatever my priorities in living, let them be evident in my buying. May even my commerce bring glory to you and kin-dom you proclaim. Amen.
Derek Weber, November 2023
Rev. Dr. Derek Weber, Director of Preaching Ministries, served churches in Indiana and Arkansas and the British Methodist Church. His PhD is from University of Edinburgh in preaching and media. He has taught preaching in seminary and conference settings for more than 20 years.
Contact Us for Help
View staff by program area to ask for additional assistance.