Reverend Stephanie Vader
Capitol Hill United Methodist Church
Washington, DC
Date of Prayer: 06/17/2022
Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:
God of all creation, who cannot be contained by our boundaries or our definitions, You are present in every place, in every moment in history. You are here and now.
Restore us anew to the vision of our fore–bearers who committed themselves to a vision of one Nation under God, with liberty and justice for all. We confess in this sacred Chamber of decision–making that we have not realized that vision.
This weekend as we remember and honor those who father us and celebrate Juneteenth, the oldest known celebration commemorating the end of enslavement in the United States, we think of our ancestors.
Where our ancestors failed to work for liberty and justice for all and contributed to oppression and harm, we lament.
Where our ancestors struggled to work for liberty and justice for all, we give thanks.
Restore anew the vision of liberty and justice for all in us. Help us to contend fearlessly against evil and to make no peace with oppression. To love only that which is good. To learn to be gentle. By our actions to lessen the tides of sorrow. To add to the sum of human flourishing. Amen.
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