A Prayer about the Dream of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. Isaiah 40:4 ESV

Holy God,

I love this day, a day to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., 

and his dream, 

yes, 

but also a day to name our longing 

for the day when that dream will finally come true.

As I re-read the powerful words 

Dr. King spoke at the Lincoln Memorial on August 28, 1963, 

the gospel roots of his dream are unmistakable. 

He said, 

“I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted (Yes), 

every hill and mountain shall be made low, 

the rough places will be made plain (Yes), 

and the crooked places will be made straight (Yes), 

and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed [cheering], 

and all flesh shall see it together. (Yes Lord)”.

As Dr. King dreamed of a day when the wrongs of slavery 

would be made right, 

when the ravages of racism 

would be healed, 

we still long for that day 

when your glory will be fully revealed (Isaiah 40:5).

In this past year, we have seen sin run rampant, 

and many are discouraged. 

Draw us to look to you, Lord, 

to see you working in your kingdom already come in Christ, 

to create a land in which there is the freedom 

for which Christ set every man and woman free (Galatians 5:1). 

Help us, even as we long for justice to roll down on this earth 

to know there is a day coming 

when justice for all people will be the reality 

for every person who trusts in Christ as their king. 

Even as we long for justice and lean toward that final day, 

empower us to love our neighbors by working toward that equality 

for every human being today.

In the name of the one who humbled himself 

that we might all call your kingdom our home.

Amen.

Read Isaiah 40:1-5.