Honouring Those Living on the Margins

Prayers for Black History Month

I was recently asked whether I could lead prayers at my local church with a week to prepare. Of course, I said yes. It so happened that the following Sunday (1st Oct) was not only Harvest Sunday, but also the start of Black History Month here in the UK. So I prayerfully shaped a creative intercessory prayer to honour those of us on the margins- past and present’. I was allotted 7 minutes – so I drew on my monologue writing skills and radio work to rehearse it to time; leaving slight pauses for the congregation to savour the words. I was mindful that some might welcome the theme and others, not. But the choice was between being authentic and spirit led; or taking a scatter gun approach and presenting prayers that did not resonate deep down in this moment.

Image: Kayleigh Pace ©

I went with the Holy Spirit. It seemed to land well; given the ‘thank yous’ and ‘we need more of this’ at the end of the service, which is very encouraging. It is worth saying, that this congregation are wanting to learn, grow and embrace diversity, especially after the Church of England’s ‘Lament to Action’ report in 2020 on Racial Justice. Afterall, they employed a Black priest; that’s a good place to start!

There is a way to ‘speak truth to power’ in love for sure. It’s a fine line- especially, when you are facing the double mistrust due to both race AND gender. But I’ve been contending with that most of my life and it’s not likely to stop me now. I’m fortunate enough to be led by a wise and skilful priest- who has seen enough of me in action to know I’m not about kick the tables over ‘up in here, up in here’ (to quote Katie Canon for a minute!) So as a lay leader, I am grateful the opportunity presented itself. I may see if I can do a voice recording at a later date but for now I’ll put the transcript down below. As per my usual signature style, the prayer mixes prose, poetry, story and scripture. Also to be clear, I was not given a Black History Month remit; simply ‘can you do the prayers next week?’ Funny where your ‘yes’ will lead you. So here it is:

“Today is the 1^st Oct. Which means it’s the start of Black History Month. When I asked Holy Spirit what I should pray about, what should I bring to the body, I was reminded of a piece that I had recently written called: ‘Out of Many One People’. This is Jamaica's official national motto, adopted to mark its independence in 1962.

Now, I have Jamaican heritage. I was born and grew up in Britain and describe myself as Black British. I am also a direct descendent of the Windrush Generation; so the motto rings true for me. I have many strands to my identity.

But the motto also reminds me of the vision that John had in the book of Revelation where he saw ‘every nation, tribe, people and language standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb’ Rev 7:9-10. This is the perfect picture of the body of Christ and the Trinity; where unity and diversity co-exist, harmoniously. That picture is not yet replicated here on earth as it is in heaven, but that is our hope.

I recently had an experience that caused me to reflect on what it means to belong; particularly in relation to the body Christ. I won't share it here, but it did leave me questioning whether we really understood the significance of what it means to partake of the divine nature of Christ in Communion: together; especially when so many still experience their lives on the margins! Are we truly living out Christ’s life in our relationships or are we happy to leave some people on the side-lines; sat at the margins without an invitation to come closer? If it is the latter, is that because we feel uncomfortable with people that seem so different from us? Or that actually, deep down, we really don’t think they belong at all?

Lord we are all yours. Out of Many One people. You desire to see every tribe, every nation, language and tongue gathered around your throne. Today as we mark Black History Month, we lift up those who have lived on the margins whether through choice; through rejection of self or historical hurt and rejection from others.

Today we lift up:

• Those from the Commonwealth invited to rebuild the Britain after World War II – we honour their sacrifice.

• Those who have directly experienced hostile environments because of the misuse of power.

• Those who were historically turned away from churches or who even now have not been made to feel welcome.

• Those, like the Jamaican/Scottish nurse, Mary Seacole; who served British soldiers on the front lines of the Crimean war, but whose heroic efforts were hidden and replaced by the stories of others (Florence Nightingale in this case).

• Those confronted by words of rejection: ‘No Dog’s, No Blacks’, No Irish’ and those for whom the legacy has had real impact.

• Those who were told to ‘go back to their own country’ -when they were already in their ‘own country’.

• Those intentionally excluded due to systems and structures that say ‘keep out’ because of the fear of the perceived ‘other’.

• Those like the only black girl at a gymnastic competition in Ireland, who had to stand and watch all of her team mates being awarded medals whilst she was deliberately passed over.

• To those that were taught they were less than as children and grew up to believe a lie.

  Help us to remember that we are ALL welcome in your Kingdom. That we are ALL your children. No-one a favourite in your eyes. For we are All made in your image…

What does it mean to feel welcome?

What does it mean to break bread?

Is it merely a gesture at the door or is it in silences instead?

Do we find it in a knowing look, a smile or open face,

A gentle ‘how you doing’? a hug or warm embrace?

Is it possible for someone

to serve

and feel despair

To be living on the margins

and yet have no body care?

Do we take care of our body and watch out for all its needs

are we mindful of our hands, our eyes, our heart

the mouth and feet?

For we are all shaped in his image

all fearfully and wonderfully made

like intricate crafted poems

each one with a turn of phrase

he knitted us together in our mother’s womb

for those who might look different

in our hearts we must make room.

For how can we love the body

if we set ourselves apart?

How can we love our neighbour

If rejection is in our heart?

For we are all shaped in his image

all fearfully and wonderfully made

like intricate crafted poems

each one with a turn of phrase

Lord help us to love the body

For if we neglect ourselves

We neglect the chance to see who we are

through the eyes of someone else…

Lord help us to see others as the beautiful poems that you have crafted. Help us to be mindful of what you have called us to and who you are calling us to be. Help us not to neglect ourselves so that we can love our neighbours well. Let us treat others as we treat ourselves.

In Jesus Name

We Pray

Amen”.

© Natasha Godfrey 2023