Prayer for the World May 20, 2026
- 8 hours ago
- 4 min read
We Shall Overcome Some Day
Introduction
The religious heritage generated by the slaves flowed down through succeeding generation. Pressing to establish civic and legal equality for black people and thereby to end a century of violent post-Civil War segregation, the civil rights movement drew in powerful measure on this legacy, precent now in black churches. … Martin Luther King’s speeches and writings were rich with prophetic visions of a world where all God’s children will dwell in peace; rich with laments over the dream of freedom denied: “How long, O Lord…Not long!” Jim Wallis
Song: We Shall Overcome by Peter Seeger,
Reading for Reflection
A nonviolent campaign in March 1965 by voting rights marchers in Alabama culminated in a televised, brutal attack by state police on the Edmund Pettus Bridge. The outrage over this incident prompted immediate national action in Congress, spurred by President Lyndon Johnson and the Voting Rights Law was passed by Congress.
Deep in my heart, I do believe, we shall overcome some day.
Regarded as the legislative crown jewel of the civil rights era, the Voting Rights Act was enacted in as a comprehensive tool meant to undo the political hold of Jim Crow policies in the South and related discriminatory structures nationwide. Congress adopted the law to ensure that states followed the 15th Amendment’s guarantee that the right to vote not be denied because of race. The law fundamentally opened political opportunities for Black and brown communities to participate in all aspects of the political system on an equal basis.
We’ll walk hand in hand, some day, we pray.
The law has been a hugely successful shield against schemes that limit or dilute the voting power of communities with a history of being marginalized. This protection has been especially helpful in processes like redistricting, which has led to the election of hundreds of federal, state, and local candidates of color in states with a history of discrimination.
We shall live in peace, some day, we pray.
Section 5 of the law requires jurisdictions with a history of discrimination to obtain approval from the Department of Justice or a court before changing voting rules, a process known as “preclearance.” Section 2 of the law allows people to sue — either on their own behalf or with the assistance of the Justice Department — to undo existing laws and procedures that would deny equal political opportunity to voters to elect their candidates of choice. However, these protections have been eroded by recent Supreme Court decisions.
We shall overcome some day, we pray.
Silent Prayer
Song: We Shall Overcome
———
NOTE: I’m also including a brief “Prayer for the World” we prayed with Sr. Jeanette in her room on Saturday. Joining in the “Prayer for the World” was always very meaningful to her. We continue to pray with and for her as she nears her journey home to God. — Sr. Beaty
Prayer for the World with Jeanette
Introduction
“Maybe the most important word in Jesus’ final words to his followers is ‘Go.’ A spirituality of mission includes the response of going to where one is commissioned to go and doing what one is commissioned to do.” Fr. Mark G. Boyer As Victory Noll Sister this is and has been our call. And the commission we received is to love God and our neighbor as ourselves. It is love that heals our broken world and Jesus has called us to “live in His love” for the sake of the world.
Song: Only a Shadow by Carey Landry
The love we have for you, O Lord
Is only a shadow of your love for us
Only a shadow of your love for us
Your deep, abiding love
The bread we take and eat, O Lord
Is your body broken and shared with us
Your body broken and shared with us
The gift of your great love
Our lives are in your hands
Our lives are in your hands
Our love for you will grow, O Lord
Your light in us will shine
Our own belief in you, O Lord
Is only a shadow of your faith in us
Only a shadow of your faith in us
Your deep and lasting faith
The dreams we share today, O Lord
Are only a shadow of your dreams for us
Only a shadow of your dreams for us
If we but follow you
Our lives are in your hands
Our lives are in your hands
Our love for you will grow, O Lord
Your light in us will shine
Your light in us will shine
Till we meet face to face
Reading for Reflection
As we celebrate the feast of the Ascension we recall Jesus’ words from tomorrow’s Gospel: As the Father loves me, so also I love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy might be in you and your joy might be complete. This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. … It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain… This I command you: love one another. John 15:17
Comments