God, we confess this morning that we are no different from the people of Ferguson, Missouri. We are fearful, angry, and suspicious of people who are different from ourselves. We are a collection of victims and perpetrators, not a community of sisters and brothers. Lord, we pray for peace in Ferguson and in our towns and we pray for the courage to take the time to listen to each other instead of making assumptions about each other.
Open our eyes.
Shine the light of your love on our darkened minds that we might put aside our preferences and seek your will.
May your kingdom come, may your will be done on earth.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Excerpted from “For Such a Time as This,” by Sharyn Dowd, Pastor for Caring and Serving Ministries at First Baptist Church, Decatur, Georgia.