UCA prays for USA

Assembly President Dr Deidre Palmer has conveyed the Uniting Church’s prayers of solidarity with the people of the United States to the UCA’s partner churches in that country.

The prayers are in response to violent protests by Trump supporters at the US Capitol building in Washington DC, which disrupted the counting of Electoral College ballots meant to confirm the transition of power to the incoming Biden Administration.

US churches have called for calm and order to be restored and several are holding prayer vigils.

 “We pray for the people of the United States of America,” said Dr Palmer in a note to leaders of the United Church of Christ and the United Methodist Church.

“In the turmoil and disruption caused by those behaving violently, we pray for peace, for the rule of law, for democracy.

“We pray for leaders and members of the churches, as they seek to witness to the peace and hope of Christ.

“We pray also for the incoming administration and their commitment to unity, democracy and the common good of all Americans.

“May the light shine in the darkness.”

Rev. Traci Blackmon opened the United Church of Christ’s National Call to Prayer and Vigil with these words.

“We never would have imagined that we would have needed to call this space together tonight, but we welcome you… as we have witnessed something we thought we might never see in the United States of America.”

Rev. Blackmon continued: “We are here to be together, to grieve together and to mourn together – and to remember together.

On this Epiphany, that just as the wise people followed the light, 12 Sys after Jesus was born, that we are that light, and that even in the midst of this grim moment, we will shine so that people can see Jesus.” 

The Prayer Vigil is available to view on YouTube.  

The World Council of Churches (WCC) has issued a strong statement condemning the violence, with WCC interim general secretary Rev. Prof. Ioan Sauca expressing “grave and mounting concern.”

 “The divisive populist politics of recent years have unleashed forces that threaten the foundations of democracy in the United States and—to the extent that it represents an example to other countries—in the wider world,” said Rev. Prof. Sauca.

“Accordingly, these developments have implications far beyond domestic American politics and are of serious international concern.”

The WCC urged those responsible for today’s violence to desist and to return to civil discourse and established democratic processes, calling on all parties to resist short-term political interests and to act in a manner responsible to others and accountable to the wider society.

“We pray that the churches of America be empowered with wisdom and strength to provide leadership through this crisis, and on the path of peace, reconciliation, and justice,” said Rev. Prof. Sauca.

Read the full statement by the WCC interim general secretary here