A Brother's Prayer on Mother's Day

Congregational Prayer
(Based on Acts 8:26-40)
A Brother's Prayer on Mother's Day

Father, in the name of Jesus,
In the midst of this Mother's Day celebration, we pause to remember the sons these women have birthed.

We thank you for them O God, and we pray that more and more sons can make mothers proud by beginning, maintaining, and strengthening a relationship with Jesus Christ, even today.

We pray that, like the eunuch of Ethiopia in this text (this emasculated man entrusted by Queen Candace), men who've been entrusted with the treasures of women would rise up to be strong men ?? even in the face of oppression and injustice.

We pray that, just like the Ethiopian eunuch, men will seek you through Scripture and will not turn our backs on God, even when our churches are insensitive to men's realities.

Lord, would you please send anointed men -- like Philip -- to struggling, rejected men like us with a word of redemption.

Would you please send anointed men -- like Philip -- faithful, available and teachable men like the eunuch, in order for us to experience good news.

God, in the name of Jesus, would you send anointed men -- like Philip -- to lonely, humiliated, dejected brothers and lift us up to experience the transforming power of Jesus Christ for ourselves.

Lord, may an emasculated brother in the house today find water and the Spirit and not allow anything or anybody to prevent us from being dipped, soaked and saturated in the power of God.

Heavenly Father, on this blessed Mother's Day, may sons of these mothers rejoice because you are good, and your steadfast love endures forever, and your faithfulness to all generations. Amen.

Note: The prayer is based on Acts 8:26-40, the story of the Ethiopian finance treasurer's conversion. The Ethiopian is rumored to have been emasculated (a eunuch), and the author uses the metaphor to pray for (Black) men, who may at times feel emasculated, to rise up and become the men they were intended to be. In many urban communities, Black men have reason to feel emasculated because of the disproportionate numbers of Black men in prison, Black men who are jobless, and Black men who feel discriminated against in the workforce. The prayer is also the prayer of one man entreating men to honor their mothers by finding faith and becoming strong, honorable men . The use of male God-language is retained in this piece for the sake of authenticity. Because of the syntax of some West African languages, the use of pronouns in God-language is less problematic in many communities of the African Diaspora.

Litany of Praise
(Based on Psalm 22:25-31)
One Voice: From you comes my praise in the great congregation.

Many Voices: From you, God, comes my praise in the great congregation.

One Voice: Praise you, God, for when so many of us have turned our backs on the poor, you have assured that the poor will eat and be satisfied.

Many Voices: From you, God, comes my praise in the great congregation.

One Voice: Praise you, God, for turning families and nations, from Africa to Asia, from the U.S. to Europe, to worship you in spirit and in truth.

Many Voices: From you, God, comes my praise in the great congregation.

One Voice: Praise you, O God, for though nations and kingdoms, presidents, kings and queens often feel we rule without your guidance, your grace is still sufficient and you still see us through.

Many Voices: From you, O God, comes my praise in the great congregation.

One Voice: Our praise calls us to bow down to you; your deliverance of our souls calls us to worship you.

Many Voices: From you, O God, comes my praise in the great congregation. We honor and bless your Holy Name!

About the Author: Joseph W. Daniels, Jr. is the Senior Pastor of Emory United Methodist Church in Washington, D.C.