Blackout Day is July 7, 2020. This is a national day for all who are sympathetic to the cause for justice for those who have been hurt by racism (systemic, personal, and otherwise). The call for this day is to spend no money in the American economy except at black-owned businesses. You can find many more resources elsewhere on systemic racism and the injustices of slavery and the curse it has brought on us. This is simply a resource for those who wish to both fast (from spending money on July 7) AND pray on this day.
Link to our current study on the Christian response to racism
PSALMS PRAYING FOR THOSE OPPRESSED
Psalm 68 – God Father of the fatherless and protector of the widow
Psalm 72 – A prayer for God to defend the poor
Psalm 103 – Bless the Lord, O my soul, He works righteousness and justice for the oppressed
OTHER SCRIPTURES TO CONSIDER
Isaiah 61 -God brings good news to the poor and loves justice
1 Timothy 2 – A Call to pray for those in authority
PRAYERS
For the nation
Almighty God, You have given us this good land as our heritage. Grant that we remember Your generosity and constantly do Your will. Bless our land with honest industry, truthful education, and an honorable way of life. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion, from pride and arrogance, and from every evil course of action. Grant that we, who came from many nations with many different languages, may become a united people. Support us in defending our liberties, and give those to whom we have entrusted the authority of government the spirit of wisdom, that there may be justice and peace in our land. When times are prosperous, may our hearts be thankful, and in troubled times do not let our trust in You fail; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Prayer for the civil authorities
Almighty God, grant integrity and well-being to all who are in authority in our nation and this community (especially [name(s)]). Grant them grace and wisdom to rule according to Your good pleasure, to the maintenance of justice and to the hindrance and punishment of wickedness, that we may lead quiet and peaceable lives in all godliness and honesty; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Prisoners
Lord Jesus Christ, for our sake You were condemned as a criminal. Visit our jails and prisons with Your justice and mercy. Remember all prisoners, especially [name]. Bring the guilty to repentance and amendment of life according to Your will, and give them hope for the future. When any are held unjustly, bring them release. Enlighten all who work in these institutions that they may be humane and compassionate. Since what we do for those in prison, O Lord, we do for You, constrain us to improve their conditions and lives. All this we ask for Your mercy’s sake.
For responsible leaders
O merciful Father in heaven, from You comes all rule and authority over the nations of the world for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do well. Graciously regard Your servants, those who make, administer, and judge the laws of this nation, and look in mercy upon all the rulers of the earth. Grant that all who receive the sword as Your servants may bear it according to Your command. Enlighten and defend them, and grant them wisdom and understanding that under their peaceable governance Your people may be guarded and directed in righteousness, quietness, and unity. Protect and prolong their lives that we with them may show forth the praise of Your name; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Newness of life in Christ
Almighty God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness and put upon ourselves the armor of light now in the time of this mortal life in which Your Son, Jesus Christ, came to visit us in great humility, that in the Last Day, when He shall come again in glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
For persecuted Christians
Lord Jesus Christ, before whom all in heaven and earth shall bow, grant courage that Your children may confess Your saving name in the face of any opposition from a world hostile to the Gospel. Help them to remember Your faithful people who sacrificed much and even faced death rather than dishonor You when called upon to deny the faith. By Your Spirit, strengthen them to be faithful and to confess You boldly, knowing that You will confess Your own before the Father in heaven, with whom You and the Holy Spirit live and reign, one God, now and forever.
For our enemies
O almighty, everlasting God, through Your only Son, our blessed Lord, You have commanded us to love our enemies, to do good to those who hate us, and to pray for those who persecute us. We therefore earnestly implore You that by Your gracious visitation all our enemies may be led to true repentance and may have the same love and be of one accord and one mind and heart with us and with Your whole Christian Church; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
For the Gospel and Evangelism for All
Lord Jesus Christ, Savior of the world, help us ever to seek You and to seek others for You, that Your harvest may be full and we may join those from every tribe and nation at the heavenly feast, where You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
For those outside the Church
Almighty and everlasting God, You desire not the death of a sinner but that all would repent and live. Hear our prayers for those outside the Church. Take away their iniquity, and turn them from their false gods to You, the living and true God. Gather them into Your holy Church to the glory of Your name; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Anger and bitterness
Lord Jesus Christ, in Your love for us and for our salvation You suffered the Father’s wrath upon the cross. Deliver [name] from anger and resentment, hatred and revenge. Grant that [he/she] may forgive as [he/she] has been forgiven and stand reconciled before You in Your righteousness and purity; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Murder (1)
Almighty God, merciful Lord, be gracious to the family of [name], whose life has been tragically ended and who is now at rest with You. Comfort them in their grief, deliver them from anger, and sustain them with the knowledge that they are upheld by Your everlasting arms. Grant them Your Holy Spirit that they may meet the days to come with steadfastness and patience, and with the hope of the glorious resurrection and a blessed reunion in heaven with those they love who have departed in the faith; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
For peace and strength in trouble
O Lord, our saving light and our shelter in the day of trouble, turn us not away in anger because of our sins. Calm our hearts, strengthen our faith, and lead us in Your straight paths until we see Your surpassing goodness in heaven with all those who live in Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.