A Prayer For MLK Day

This is a day to remember the life and ministry of Martin Luther King, Jr. The prayer below is from The United Methodist Book of Worship and includes quotations from King's book, Letter From the Birmingham Jail.

We remember the conviction of Martin Luther King, Jr., that
"freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor'
it must be demanded by the oppressed."

We remember Martin's warning that
"a negative peace which is the absence of tension
is less than a positive peace which is the presence of justice."

We remember Martin's insight that
"injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.
We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality
tied in a single garment of destiny.
Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly."

We remember Martin's hope that
"dark clouds of racial prejudice will soon pass away
and the deep fog of misunderstanding will be lifted
from our fear-drenched communities
and in some not too distant tomorrow
the radiant stars of love and brotherhood
will shine over our great nation with all
their scintillating beauty."

Amen!