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.
July 11, 2025
Merciful God, we pray to you for all the men, women, and children who have died after leaving their homelands in search of a better life.
Though many of their graves bear no name, to you, each one is known, loved, and cherished.
May we never forget them, but honour their sacrifice with deeds more than words. We entrust to you all those who have made this journey, enduring fear, uncertainty, and humiliation, in order to reach a place of safety and hope.
Just as you never abandoned your Son as he was brought to a safe place by Mary and Joseph, so now be close to these, your sons and daughters, through our tenderness and protection.
In caring for them, may we seek a world where none are forced to leave their home and where all can live in freedom, dignity, and peace.
Merciful God and Father of all, wake us from the slumber of indifference, open our eyes to their suffering, and free us from the insensitivity born of worldly comfort and self-centeredness.
Inspire us, as nations, communities, and individuals, to see that those who come to our shores are our brothers and sisters.
May we share with them the blessings we have received from your hand, and recognize that together, as one human family, we are all migrants, journeying in hope to you, our true home, where every tear will be wiped away, where we will be at peace and safe in your embrace.
“A Pope's Prayer for Immigrants,” Pope Francis, Prayers for Immigrants and Refugees.
July 10, 2025
Dear Heavenly Father,
In the realm of economic opportunity, we beseech You to level the playing field for all races and ethnicities. Grant us the wisdom to address systemic inequalities that hinder economic progress for marginalized communities. Bless initiatives that promote entrepreneurship, education, and access to capital, ensuring that every individual can realize their full potential, regardless of their racial background. May our economies thrive on the principles of fairness and inclusion, where everyone has the opportunity to achieve their dreams and contribute to the prosperity of our shared society.
Amen.
#11. Prayer for Racial Equality in Economic Opportunity, 15 Compassionate Prayers for Racial Equality - Strength in Prayer.
July 9, 2025
My dear Father in Heaven, today our world feels more divided than ever. Please guide us as we strive to find our way to reconciliation. Jesus was able to reach across ethnic boundaries - Romans, Jews, Samaritans - to bring people together. He gave them a chance to see the truth. God, help us to break down those same barriers in our community today. Enable us to dismantle the racial systems we have in place, so that our community can come together and heal. Help us learn from and honor each other. Amen.
Megan Bailey, “Prayer For Unity,” Prayers For Ending Racism - Beliefnet.
July 8, 2025
Forgive me, forgive many of us, for refusing your abundance, God who showers us with invitations to life in all its fulness. It might sound strange to admit it, and some might recoil from such a prayer. But the sad truth is that you have created a world of wholeness, and we too often choose sameness. You have created a world rich with possibilities and diversity, but we choose homogeneity, preferring those like us. You have given us a palette of viewpoints and experiences of this world, and we want to filter through our monochromatic vision of those like us.
Help us embrace the world of your vision, the tapestry of humanity that enriches us all. Help us live into the beloved community you created for us and that our fears have rejected. We are poorer without this wholeness. Help us, God of abundance. In Christ’s name. Amen.
Derek Weber, June 2025
July 7, 2025
O God, our help and ever-present friend, we need you.
For the ways that we contribute to the violence of our world, forgive us.
For the harm we have inflicted on ourselves and others, show us a better way.
Lift our eyes to you to receive a vision of your kin-dom.
Watch over us and help us watch over each other.
Prayer of Confession by Rev. Aimee Baxter, West End United Methodist Church, from the bulletin on June 29, 2025.
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.
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