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General secretary Eddy Alemán and the RCA’s racial/ethnic councils have called the RCA to an annual day of prayer and fasting for justice and reconciliation, scheduled for May 25.

New resources are available for the annual Day of Prayer and Fasting for Justice and Reconciliation that general secretary Eddy Alemán announced last month. It will take place on May 25, the first anniversary of George Floyd’s death.

Congregations are encouraged to host a prayer gathering on May 25, or to include prayers for justice and reconciliation in Sunday worship either on May 23 or on May 30. The Day of Prayer and Fasting for Justice and Reconciliation will be an annual event.

Congregational resources for the day of prayer and fasting were provided by the African American Black Council, the Council for Hispanic Ministries, the Council for Pacific and Asian American Ministries, Native American Ministries, and the Commission on Race and Ethnicity.

The councils and commissions provided an order of worship for a prayer gathering, which can be adapted for use in Sunday worship.

The councils and commissions also released a video of a prayer of commitment based on the Belhar Confession, one of the RCA’s four standards of unity. This video can be used in worship, in a prayer meeting, or on social media. It can be streamed on YouTube or downloaded from Vimeo.

A Fasting and Prayer Guide gives an introduction to fasting.

The day of prayer and fasting also includes an online Dismantling Racism Prayer Gathering, led by a group that prays together twice a month. That gathering is May 25 at 1:30 p.m. EDT. It will include music, prayer, story sharing, and intercession followed by a 30-minute open prayer room; an RSVP is required to receive the Zoom link.

“The idea for this day of prayer and fasting came from the African American Black Council, yet we recognize that racism impacts not just Black people, but Asians and Pacific Islanders, aboriginal people, Native Americans, Hispanic people, and all people of color,” Alemán wrote in an email to churches. “We look to the example of Jesus, who often withdrew to a quiet place to pray and be close to the Father. Like Jesus, we turn to prayer for the strength to undertake and sustain the work of dismantling racism. Since this is work that we must do in community, we also gather to pray and fast as a community.”

For wider resourcing around racism—including Bible studies and history—head to the RCA’s webpage on dismantling racism.

Learn more about the work of the RCA’s racial/ethnic councils.