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A Litany of Repentance




I wrote the following litany of repentance two weeks after George Floyd's death--during the maddening, unending isolation of COVID-19, watching online church services after hot Sunday morning walks with the family. I'm grateful for those who have spoken into my life and helped me see the need for lament and confession, for that is what this is. I believe the Holy Spirit uses diverse means to do this and for me it's primarily been through relationships and stories. We cannot lament and grieve until we have started to see the extent of our sin, both corporate and individual. We learn by taking a hard look at our history and listening to those whose lived experiences are different from ours. 

Scripture is replete with examples of grief, lament and repentance surrounding an awareness of sin, both corporate and individual (to name a few: Psalm 51, Nehemiah 1:5-7, 9:2, Daniel 9, I John 1:8-10).   

While God calls all to repentance, I believe that my position in the dominant culture in the United States necessitates my confession in particular areas at this time. 

The promise of the Gospel reminds us that God does not keep a record of our sin. As we repent, we turn from our sin and walk in the opposite direction--toward action that brings life where there's been been death. Trust where where there's been faithlessness. Hope where there's been failure.  Why? Because Jesus's prayer for all believers in John 17 is "that they may be one" so that the world may know who Jesus is. And John's vision of heaven in Revelation 7:9-10 is an uncountable multitude from every tribe and tongue and people, worshipping together at the throne of the Lamb of God. 
Then God said, "Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth." 

So God created humankind in his image,
     in the image of God he created them;
     male and female he created them.              Genesis 1:26-27 [NRSV]


Lord, you have created us in your image. This is one of the first things we read in the Bible. You created Adam and Eve and all people in your image. All people. We are awed that we bear your stamp, your imprint. We teach these words to our children. We proclaim the sanctity of life. But we do not act as though it were really true.

We confess to you Lord.

We have not faced the destructive legacy of misusing scripture to justify slavery and racial superiority.

We have closed our eyes to the systems instituted in our country to continue the disproportionate incarceration of black men and women. 

We confess to you Lord.

We are unwilling to recognize the economic oppression of our black brothers and sisters and change structures that work to our advantage while harming those who look different from us.

Our hearts have been unmoved by the deaths of unarmed black men, women and children by those charged with protecting them. We ask to know the context rather than demanding that the violence against those made in your image stop.

We confess to you Lord.

Instead of grieving with those in pain and frustration and anger around us, we criticize them for their means of expressing it and blame them for creating unrest.

We confess to you Lord.

We are willing to help solve problems, but only if it can be done our way.

We have treated black people in our midst as second-class citizens, expecting them to be grateful for our kindness to them.

We confess to you Lord.

We have been skeptical of people of color in power over us, and uncomfortable with their authority, calling into question their credentials to hold such positions.

We have been taught by news networks and social media, rather than by Scripture.

We confess to you Lord.

We have confused our culture as Americans with our calling as Christians.

We confess to you Lord.

We have not loved our neighbors.
We have not known our neighbors.
We have limited whom we call our "neighbors."

We confess to you Lord.

So many who are grieving and angered are our brothers and sisters in Christ. The Church is one body, many parts. When one part suffers, the whole body suffers. But we are not suffering because we have not thought of our black brothers and sisters as part of Christ's body.

Have mercy on us Lord.

We have not listened to the stories of those who are suffering.
We have not listened to the stories that might implicate us.
We have not listened.

We are quick to use our tears to deflect from true repentance and change.

We confess to you Lord.

Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord;
     O Lord, hear my voice.
Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy.
If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins,
     O LORD, who could stand?
But with you there is forgiveness;
     therefore you are feared . . . 
O Israel, put your hope in the LORD,
    for with the LORD is unfailing love
    and with him is full redemption.
He himself will redeem Israel
    from all their sins.
Psalm 130:1-4,7-8 [NIV]

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