In light of the events surrounding the shooting of Philando Castile, Pastor Bryan wrote this prayer of lament from Psalm 22 and prayed with Trinity City Church on Sunday, June 18th.
God, have you forsaken the Castile family?
Have you abandoned the African-American community?
Why are you so far from saving them,
so far from their groaning?
They cry out to you by day, but you do not answer,
and by night, but they find no rest.
You’re holy, enthroned above the praises of their churches.
They trust in you.
But they are dehumanized and not treated as image-bearers.
They’re scorned by mankind and despised by people.
They’re mocked, and the privileged wag their heads.
“He should have not said anything about the gun.
He should not have reached in his pocket.”
Lord, don’t be far from your people.
They’re surrounded by adversaries.
Care and protect them like a mother for her child.
Because their strength is gone,
their courage has melted away,
and they’re weakened by fear because death continues to approach them.
Injustice surrounds them.
Their feet and hands are bound.
What they have left is taken from them.
Lord, don’t be far off!
Come quickly to the aid of the oppressed and afflicted.
Deliver them from injustice and death.
Save their precious life.
We will tell of your name to our brothers and sisters.
We will praise you together.
Because you have not despised or abhorred the affliction of the afflicted.
You have not hidden your face from them when they cried to you.
The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied;
they will praise you, Lord!
All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord,
all those in power and authority will be brought to their knees
because you rule over all things.
May the privileged be brought low and worship,
and the afflicted raised up to praise.
So that the coming generation,
and those yet to be born,
may know that you are good,
you are just,
and you deserve all the glory.
In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
