With all the noise in the world, do you hear the voice of God? Your calendar tells you what to do, but do you remember who you are? Being comes before doing. This is a call to put first things first. Return to the Lord with this daily pattern of prayer and devotion. Set aside this time as a sanctuary. Find a space free of distraction and follow this pattern.
Invocation
Make the sign of the cross, and say,
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Word
And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. (Ez. 36:26)
Reflection
On June 3, 2020, the Black Clergy Caucus released a statement addressing the killing of George Floyd. The statement was written by Rev. Warren Lattimore, Jr., pastor of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in New Orleans, LA and president of the Black Clergy Caucus of the Lutheran Church.
I encourage you to read more, to learn more, to listen more. To Black Lutheran pastors and laity. To Black authors. To Black musicians. To Black business owners. To people you normally do not. With a heart that listens to understand. So often what divides us is a defensive heart born of fear, anger, or pride. But as brothers and sisters in Christ, God says, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” (Ez. 36:26). This world is unable to solve the problems that vex us, but God is able. This world may seek to tear us apart, but God is able to “knit [us] together in love” (Col. 2:2). This world may test our patience, but God is able to give us a peace “that surpasses all understanding” (Phil 4:7).
https://www.theunbrokencord.com/writings/black-clergy-caucus-statement-on-george-floyd
Many of our Christian brothers and sisters in the Black community are tired – tired of feeling that they cannot go to the store, grab a soda, hang out with friends in certain areas and so much more. Let us listen to and connect with our Black brothers and sisters in Christ on a new level. How might listening be an act of love, born of humility, and communicate value and worth to the speaker?
Prayer
Lord God, hear the cries of your people, and give us ears to listen. In the name of Jesus, amen.