No Peace With Oppression : June 19, 2020
ALMIGHTY God, who hast created man in thine own image; Grant us grace fearlessly to contend against evil, and to make no peace with oppression…
The Book of Common Prayer, 1928
That prayer is from 1928, from a book of prayers–the topic? Social Justice. It may have some fancy words, but let me translate:
- Grant us grace… = honor us with the ability to fight against evil without fear
- Make no peace with oppression = oppression means to control by being unjust and cruel, so if we do NOT make peace with oppression, then we are standing against it.
I’m not sure what exactly was going on in 1928 with social justice, but we know for a fact that there was oppression, cruelty and unjust treatment towards the black citizens of the US. June 19, today, is called Juneteenth –because in 1865, word spread slowly, so even though President Lincoln had signed the law much earlier, June 19 was when the slaves heard the news that they were free.
God, give me a spirit to fight against evil, and to not be okay with oppression, in any form. Make me brave, and give me the words. Amen.
Psalm 65 : June 18, 2020
