Prayer in a Time of Trial

Two versions of the Lord's Prayer appear side by side in the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer, one familiar, the other streamlined with one substantive change. In the more familiar one, we pray, "Lead us not into temptation." The alternative is, "Save us from the time of trial." The Catholics have adopted the second version on the grounds that the Lord doesn't lead anyone into temptation. I agree. But that line has spoken to me more and more as the world has seen a rise of populist autocrats and their reactionary politics.

I recently had the opportunity to put into words all the feelings that have been riding on that one line.  Our seminar Education for Ministry had been discussing The Cross and the Lynching Tree by James H. Cone.  It was my turn to collect the strands of our discussion into a prayer.  Over the next weeks, I wrote:

O God, we affirm your presence, no matter how dark the world is. We know that we must strive for justice and peace among all people and respect the dignity of every human being. We wonder if speaking up in a time of political polarization will lead to retribution, and we doubt that we have the courage to face that possibility. So we hold on to you in faith that you will steady us in any small steps we take and will strengthen our conviction as we go. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

While this prayer expresses dread I've felt for some years, its strands come straight from that session. We had looked at the connections between Christ's crucifixion and lynchings in America. We put the Biblical event in dialogue with modern history, culture, and our own experiences and beliefs.

Joyce was especially inspired by Mamie Till who left open the casket of her brutalized son Emmett to shock the country into action. Jessica quoted scripture about "obedience even to death on the Cross." I mentioned our Baptismal vow to strive for justice and respect the dignity of every human being. Marilyn spoke of overcoming crippling fear. Nuno quoted DuBois on going forward "no matter how dark the world is." Pete contrasted Niebuhr's armchair faith to MLK's courageous stand against threats and actual violence. We found our focus: Mission as an external expression of internal conviction. Pete recalled how Tom Hanks's character in Saving Private Ryan is reluctant to accept his mission but grows in conviction as he proceeds.

Tom, hearing my prayer, pointed me to Isaiah 59.14-15:

Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands far away; for truth has stumbled in the public squares, and uprightness cannot enter. Truth is lacking, and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey. The Lord saw it, and it displeased him that there was no justice.

"Is there no one?" asks the Lord. And he sends an intercessor dressed in the armor of righteousness and faith. The Prophet Isaiah. Jesus. WEB DuBois. Mamie Till. MLK. Us. 

[Link to our two-part discussions of The Cross and the Lynching Tree, first half, second half.]