These prayers remind us of our Christian calling to do all that we can to stand with and support those who are discriminated against because of their race throughout the world.
A map of biblical Galilee.
They replied, ‘Are you from Galilee too? Search and see that no prophet arises from Galilee.'
When Nicodemus defends Jesus before the Sanhedrin, he is met not with reasoned argument, but instead with a geographical slight: “Are you from Galilee too? Search and see that no prophet arises from Galilee.” Galilee was considered provincial, religiously questionable, and culturally insignificant. Surely not a place a prophet would come from.
We know, of course, that sadly this kind of immediate, dismissive judgement still leads to discrimination today. As research has shown, even the most qualified candidates for jobs can find themselves locked out by systems rooted in prejudice.
This time of Lent is one of honest self-examination, and we may perhaps wish to reflect on whether there are any people we see as outsiders, or as less valuable than ourselves.
Today, on the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, let’s pray and work for a world where the dignity of every person is recognised and valued.
Prayer
Holy God,
you created the one human family,
each person made in your image.
Fill us with your Spirit,
so we may work with you
to bring to an end
prejudice and racism.
Amen.
Act
Join us in prayer for racial justice.