A prayer for Stephen Lawrence Day

The 22nd April is Stephen Lawrence Day, and Paulette, a member of the District's Justice, Dignity and Solidarity (JDS) group, has written the below prayer for us to reflect on.

God of renewal and life, help us to remember Stephen Lawrence,
a young man, full of possibilities, a little boy to his parents
and a child of God to you.
Led by hatred the racists thought they
cut you down and silenced you forever.

Be in our weeping and stoical gaze, as we ask why?
Strengthen us Lord in our pondering and reflections
on Stephen and our fight for justice, equality and racial peace.

God of revelation, grant us the insight to know
what we should do next. May the legacy of
creation and amendment of law and policy,
and parents with risen drive who
continue to push for change, go on.

Loving God, most of all may we remember by your Holy Spirit,
to love you with all our hearts and minds, to
love ourselves and love our neighbour too.
Help us to embody your commands so others
may know this is the renewing truth, leaving no
room for defilement.

Thank you for your Son, Jesus, and his message of
eternal love unity and peace, given to the world,
as we remember this child of God.

Amen.