A Black History Month Prayer for February 2016: Hallowed Grounds
By Rev. Carlyn Houston, Sheila B. Ministries | February 8, 2016
Sheila B. Ministries, Inc. Joins the Nation in Celebrating Black History Month
“America. In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.”
President Barack Obama
Excerpts from Inaugural Address, January 20, 2009
Our Black History Month Theme: Hallowed Grounds:
Sites of African American Memories
A Prayer for February 2016
Dear Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations…Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God, and our hearts are filled with your praise. As we celebrate Black History, and reflect on our historical journey of freedom, courage, hope and victory, we celebrate You and your hand of grace upon us. It by your amazing grace that many of our forefathers stood sacrificially and strong in the faith, and fought for freedom on these Hallowed Grounds: Sites of African American Memories. Lest we forget, Oh God, that You would summon us to visit these historical landmarks, physically and in the spirit, and out of respect and honor for the blood, sweat and tears that was shed on these Hallowed Grounds, we would respond in obedience as did Moses, “Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.”
Lord, we stand on the shoulders of countless of African Americans who have helped shape the character of our Nation. Thank You for the contributions of courageous Americans who led the fight to end slavery, and expand basic civil rights for all Americans. Great is thy Faithfulness. Oh God, from the beginning…to the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863…the March on Washington in 1963, to the election of the first African American President of the United States in 2008, and his re-election in 2012…to the present, You are our dwelling place, our protector, our shield, our refuge. Because of You, we can proudly sing, “My country, ‘tis of thee, Sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing;” Thank You for the gift of freedom. Thank You for those brothers and sisters who were in bondage by slavery, yet many were free in the spirit, and would pray, and sing of your grace. Oh God, thank You most of all for the freedom that we have as followers of Jesus Christ.
Dear Lord, give us more love for all, more faith, courage and peace. We are reminded of the words of James Weldon Johnson, we are “Shadowed beneath Thy hand, May we forever stand. True to our God, True to our native land.” Blessed is the Nation whose God is the Lord. We offer this prayer in Jesus Mighty Name and for His glory, Amen.
Scripture References: Psalm 90:1-2; Exodus 3:4-5; Lamentations 3:22-23; Psalm 33:12
For a listing of the African American historical landmarks, visit: www.blackpast.org/national-african-american-historic-landmarks-state
Rev. Carlyn Houston, Sheila B. Ministries, Inc. Return to News
