Racial Equality and Injustice

An Open Letter

In his vision recorded in Revelation, John is given an insight to where Jesus is seated on the throne in heaven. There is a great multitude loudly saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!” This is how John describes those worshiping before the throne: “….there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and the Lamb….” (Rev 7:9&10).

This paints a glorious picture of heavenly harmony (literally) where people are united irrespective of their nationality, race, skin colour etc. Everyone there is so focused on the Lamb that I’m quite sure that no one even notices the physical differences between them. Sadly, in our world today and indeed sometimes within the church too we have allowed our focus to shift away from Jesus and focus on our differences instead. In this short video Lloyd reflects on the fact that racism is a community sin. We are called to repentance as a community. Please watch the video (here) and afterwards feel free to pray your own prayer of repentance or use this prayer:  Lord God, we thank you for creating the rich diversity within the human race. We thank you that each and every one of us is made in your image whatever nationality, race, gender or culture we may be. We’re sorry for the part we’ve played in the racism which is so rife in the world today. Show us how we need to change. Father, forgive us and heal us. Help us all to focus on Jesus, the perfecter of our faith and to join with the multitude worshipping at the throne. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Jon Randall

Vicar Huntingdon Parish