Here’s another prayer from my book Complete Collected Intercessions, seeking God’s help in breaking down the barriers that racism still erects between person and person, colour and community, creed and culture.
Loving God,
forgive the racism that has scarred our world across the centuries –
the hatred it has engendered,
persecution it has led to,
injustices and misery it has caused,
violence, murder and genocide it has been used to justify.
Break down the barriers, Lord,
and make us one.
Forgive the racism that has scarred the Church over the years:
persecution of Jews and Muslims,
the iniquity of apartheid,
innate white elitism,
rank prejudice and discrimination.
Break down the barriers, Lord,
and make us one.
Reach out to those who continue to be victims of racism today,
being intimidated,
discriminated against,
victimised,
abused,
suffering on account of the colour of their skin or place of origin.
Break down the barriers, Lord,
and make us one.
Prosper, we pray, the work of all those who work to combat racism,
and break down the barriers of prejudice that keep people apart,
so that everyone,
everywhere,
may learn to recognise, respect and value the common humanity we share.
Break down the barriers, Lord,
and make us one.
Amen.