I wrote recently of “Journey Words” but thought that I should elaborate on the kinds of words that I travel with.  While many are strong and moving one- liners, others are a bit more lengthy.  They capture truth that cannot be condensed or rushed into.  Most are not prayers but this one happens to be and when I read it, nothing else needed to be said.

It is a prayer that I found in Prayers for Dark People by W. E. B. DuBois.  His words, these words really mean a lot to me.  I cherish them and am so blessed to have them.  I hope that they might create a similar feeling with you.

DuBois prayed: “Give us grace, O God, to dare to do the deed which we well know cries to be done.  Let us not hesitate because of ease, or the words of men’s mouths, or our own lives. Mighty causes are calling us– the freeing of women, the training of children, the putting down of hate and murder and poverty– all these and more.  But, they call with voices that mean work and sacrifice and death.  Mercifully grant us, O God, the spirit of Esther, that we say: I will go to the King and if I perish, I perish. Amen.”