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.
August 1, 2025
One: Let us confess our sins against God and one another.
Many: Almighty God, Source of all that is, Giver of every good gift: You create all people in your image and call us to love one another as you love us.
We confess that we have failed to honor you in the great diversity of the human family.
We have desired to live in freedom, while building walls between ourselves and others.
We have longed to be known and accepted for who we are, while making judgments of others based on the color of skin, or the shape of features, or the varieties of human experience.
We have tried to love our neighbors individually while yet benefitting from systems that hold those same neighbors in oppression.
Forgive us, Holy God.
Give us eyes to see you as you are revealed in all people.
Strengthen us for the work of reconciliation rooted in love.
Restore us in your image, to be beloved community, united in our diversity, even as you are one with Christ and the Spirit, Holy and undivided Trinity, now and for ever. Amen.
Confession, Prayers for Racial Reconciliation and Justice, All Saints' Episcopal Church, http://allsaintsportsmouth.org/racial-reconciliation-and-justice/.
July 31, 2025
Lord Jesus, we humbly come before You, seeking Your guidance and strength in preserving the rich heritage of the African American community.
May we honor the struggles and triumphs of those who came before us, cherishing their stories and contributions.
Help us to foster unity, understanding, and respect, ensuring that their legacy continues to inspire future generations.
Amen.
Alex Harper, ´Prayer for the Preservation of African American Heritage,” 13 Powerful Prayers of African American Faith, St. Michael’s Parish, https://stmparish.org/prayer/miscellaneous-prayers/african-american-prayer/.
July 30, 2025
We come before you with heavy hearts, seeking guidance and strength to bring about social justice in our communities. Help us to bridge the divides that separate us, to nurture understanding, and to promote love and compassion among our neighbors. Grant us the wisdom to recognize injustice and the courage to stand up against it. May our communities be places of equality, where every individual is valued and respected. Thank you for your guidance and support as we strive to create a world where justice prevails.
Amen.
“#1 Prayer for Social Justice in Our Communities,” 25 Powerful Prayers for Social Justice - Strength in Prayer,https://strengthinprayer.com/prayer-for-social-justice/.
July 29, 2025
It is the middle of summer, God of times and seasons, or it feels that way to me. It’s too hot and humid where I live. I admit that I grumble, though I know I am privileged to be able to escape the heat. I also know that there are many who cannot; they work in the heat or live in places where there is no air conditioning or where it doesn’t work properly, and owners and management aren’t motivated to fix it. When temperatures rise, so do conflicts, tempers, anger, and frustrations. And too often, the response is something about “those people.” Because something else in short supply in the summer is compassion or understanding. So, before we all get hot and bothered, cool us off with some grace and understanding. Remind us, God of compassion, to consider circumstances before we make judgments. In your name, we pray. Amen.
Derek Weber, July 2025
July 28, 2025
You give us prophets, holy God,
to cry out for justice and mercy.
Open our ears to hear them,
and to follow the truth they speak,
lest we support injustice to secure our own well-being.
Give prophets the fire of your Word,
but love as well.
Though they speak for you,
may they know that they stand with us before you,
and have no Messiah other than your Son.
Jesus Christ, the Lord of all. Amen.
The Worship Book: Services (The Westminster Press, 1970) cited in “Prayers for Racial Harmony,”https://www.faithward.org/prayers-for-racial-harmony/ Faithward.org.
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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