On Tuesday, May 5, the Reverend Hester Mathes, Senior Associate Rector of Church of the Holy Communion (Memphis), gave the invocation at the Memphis City Council’s first online meeting.
Rev. Hester’s invitation was a result of Church of the Holy Communion’s inaugural “Pray for Memphis” prayer service in January 2020.
Many thanks to Rev. Hester for allowing us to reprint her invocation below.
Invocation for Memphis City Council
May 5, 2020
The Reverend Hester Mathes
God of light and life, be with your people this day
So that those who are wearied by the chances and changes of this life
May feel your peace and your presence.
Grant wisdom to the council members and city leaders gathered here virtually
As they are faced with balancing good vs. good and risk vs. risk.
Help them to be gentle with themselves and with others
As they map our city’s way through uncharted territory
In addition to tending to the routine business of leading a community.
Give them the courage of the models who have shown light in our city’s past,
Of Constance and her Companions who bravely cared for many in the face of yellow fever,
Of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who tirelessly fought the plague of racism,
and of Danny Thomas who reminds us that we can be the force behind finding cures that save countless lives regardless of their ability to pay.
Grant the leaders of our city of Memphis enough foolishness
to believe that they can make a difference in this world,
so that they can do what others claim cannot be done,
To bring justice and kindness to all of God’s beloved children,
Beginning with the citizens who call these banks of the Mighty Mississippi Home.
All this we ask in the name of the one whose power working in us can do far more than we could ever ask or imagine.
Amen
