I am reading a book by Howard Thurman entitled Jesus and the Disinherited. First published in 1949, this book could have been written yesterday. Thurman writes about the crises filling the lives and shaping the present and future for our black brothers and sisters—a crisis that has only magnified in the last 71 years.
I’d like to share a few quotes with you today, taken directly from this book. I encourage you to get hold of a copy, “read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest” (BCP, Proper 28) his timeless words.
In the Forward [sic] to the book, Vincent Harding says: “Thurman summarized the essential message of Jesus for the disinherited in these words: ‘You must abandon your fear of each other and fear only God…Love your enemy, that you may be children of your father who is in heaven.’”
Here are quotes from Thurman himself:
“The masses of men live with their backs constantly against the wall. They are the poor, the disinherited, the dispossessed. What does our religion say to them? The issue is not what it counsels them to do for others
whose need may be greater,
but what religion offers to meet
their own needs.
“The core of the analysis of Jesus is that man is a child of God, the God of life that sustains all of nature…God is mindful of the individual…the awareness of being a child of God tends to stabilize the ego and results in a new courage, fearlessness, and power.”
“Nothing less than a great daring in the face of overwhelming odds can achieve the inner security in which fear cannot possibly survive…Here we reach the high-water mark of prophetic religion, and it is of the essence of the religion of Jesus of Nazareth…God cares for the grass of the field..he holds the stars in their appointed places, leaves his mark in every living thing. And he cares for me! To be assured of this becomes the answer to the threat of violence—yea, to violence itself.”
Please mark your calendars for a Novena (nine days of devotional prayers) October 27-November 4, to pray for the election of leaders in the United States. The Litany follows below.
According to Forward Movement, one of the Episcopal Church’s ministries, "a novena is an ancient tradition of nine days of devotional prayers, often with a specific intention. In this case, we pray for discernment in voting and for the well-being of our nation. Starting October 27 and continuing through the day after the election, we invite you to pray for the election of leaders in the United States." Forward Movement offers guided prayers for novena in in PDF format here.
In a sermon at the recent House of Bishops’ virtual gathering on Sept. 16, our spiritual leader, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, promoted voting and Christian love over divisions. He emphasized that “The Episcopal Church does not endorse, support, or oppose political candidates for elective office . . . This does not prohibit churches from engaging in voter education, voter registration, helping people get to the polls to vote, or even advocating for issues of public policy reflective of the tenets of our faith.” Back to Contents
Forward Movement suggests that we pray this litany every day for the season of novena:
O Lord our Governor, bless the leaders of our land, that we may be a people at peace among ourselves and a blessing to other nations of the earth.
Lord, keep this nation under your care.
To the President and members of the Cabinet, to Governors of States, Mayors of Cities, and to all in administrative authority, grant wisdom and grace in the exercise of their duties.
Give grace to your servants, O Lord.
To Senators and Representatives, and those who make our laws in States, Cities, and Towns, give courage, wisdom, and foresight to provide for the needs of all our
people, and to fulfill our obligations in the community of nations.
Give grace to your servants, O Lord.
To the Judges and officers of our Courts give understanding and integrity, that human rights may be safeguarded and justice served.
Give grace to your servants, O Lord.
And finally, teach our people to rely on your strength and to accept their responsibilities to their fellow citizens, that they may elect trustworthy leaders and make wise decisions for the well-being of our society; that we may serve you faithfully in our generation and honor your holy Name.
For yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all.
