Invocation Given at the 50th Anniversary of Integration in Warren County, VA

"God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, thou who has brought us thus far along the way, thou who has by thy might led us into the light, keep us forever in the path, we pray, lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met thee, lest our hearts, drunk with the wine of the world, we forget thee. Shadowed beneath thy hand may we forever stand -- true to thee, O God, and true to our native land."

Lord, we thank you for giving courage and strength

• to those who marched and were martyred to bring us to this day
  
• to those who suffered at the hands of the angry, the ignorant, and the fearful
  
• to those who were accused, abused, attacked, and assaulted
  
• to those who stood alongside, supported, and interceded
  
• to all those who worked together to loose the chains of injustice and oppression
  

Lord, we have come so far and yet we have so far still to go

Give us, we pray, our daily bread

• the same measure of courage and strength you gave those who have gone before us and forgive us even as we forgive others
• give us love, mercy, and compassion for those still filled with hate and fear

and lead us not into temptation

• but give us the strength, faith, and steadfastness needed to march on
  

and deliver us from evil, for evil abounds

• give us patience and perseverance when the day is long
• give us encouragement and hope when the night never ends

for yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever

• give us humility, we pray, for the battle belongs to You, O Lord
• our yesterdays, our todays, and our tomorrows are in your hands

In the prayerful words of Mary McLeod Bethune,

Father, we call Thee Father because we love Thee. We are glad to be called Thy children, and to dedicate our lives to the service that extends through willing hearts and hands to the betterment of all mankind. We send a cry of Thanksgiving for people of all races, creeds, classes, and colors the world over, and pray that through the instrumentality of our lives the spirit of peace, joy, fellowship, and brotherhood shall circle the world. We know that this world is filled with discordant notes, but help us, Father, to so unite our efforts that we may all join in one harmonious symphony for peace and brotherhood, justice, and equality of opportunity for all men (and women). The tasks performed today with forgiveness for all our errors, we dedicate, dear Lord, to Thee. Grant us strength and courage and faith and humility sufficient for the tasks assigned to us.

I ask Lord, that your blessing be upon each person gathered here today.  And that you will bless this time of remembrance and celebration.

Amen