“Father, Open our eyes to see… we all bleed the same… we’re more beautiful when we come together.”

The lyrics were written by Mandisa and shared wonderfully in song by Felicity, Genevieve, and Grace during our contemporary worship on the eve of Martin Luther King Jr. Day in January.

“Father, Open our eyes to see…“

I’ve heard many people pray and ask to experience the world with the eyes and ears of Jesus. I offer a similar prayer every day.

“Let us see what you see, Lord. Let us hear what you hear. Let us respond as you would respond.”

The intent almost always involves people who are suffering. Let us see the hungry, the lonely, the broken, the addicted, the discouraged, the disconnected…

We use the same prayer to confront racism. “Father, Open our eyes to see…“

As we stand in the echo of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, on the doorstep of Black History Month, our Pastor Hannah is suggesting an addendum.

Lord, as you show us where we can share your love and your light to end racism, show us the beauty you see in the diversity of your children.

Let’s make that our prayer for February. At about 5:45 pm, on February 6, as the sun is setting, from wherever you are, with whomever wants to join you, join us in lifting a prayer asking God to open our eyes to the beauty in people whose skin color and experiences are different from ours.

“We are one humanity… but we are not the same, and that is a good thing,” Hannah said in her January 16 message. “There is beauty to celebrate in our differences, and that is an intentional part of the creation of God.”

“It is a benefit… to have new experiences that heighten our awareness, that help us be present in the moment and see the differences around us.”

“Don’t shove them out. Don’t try to turn them off, but turn to see the differences and know they are good. They are not (something) to be afraid of, not (something) to avoid or avert our eyes from. As long as we do that, racism will persist.”

Hannah suggested embracing diversity through the arts, music, and worship. Black History Month traditionally provides increased opportunities to explore and experience.

“As white folks, we cannot possibly drink from the same cup and experience first-hand the full evils of racism. We can engage in experiences that help us see the full beauty in our differences and to fight for them to be able to exist. I encourage you to engage in these experiences.”

“Father, Open our eyes to see…” This was Hannah’s prayer:

“Almighty God, we know you are good, you are generous, we know your blessings are meant for all to experience, so we fight for all to experience them. Lord, show us what to do. Show us how to move. Do not let us grow complacent. Do not let us be stagnant. Set us on fire with an awareness that the diversity among us is worth fighting for. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.”