Make It a Proud and Happy Juneteenth
Today is the fourth year Juneteenth has been recognized as a federal holiday.
Let’s not only acknowledge this significant day and pray for racial healing all over the world.
Many states, including Texas, have celebrated Juneteenth since its first anniversary, but only a few observed it as an official holiday before 2021.
“Juneteenth symbolizes freedom, celebrates the abolishment of slavery, and reminds all Americans of the significant contributions of African Americans to our society.” – WV Legislature Resolution in 2021.
On Jan. 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which stated that all persons held as slaves in rebellious states shall be set free, slavery continued in Texas for another two years! However it took two years until the ensalved in Texas were set free. On June 19, 1865, federal troops arrived in Galveston enforce all enslaved were set free.
The celebration of June 19 as Emancipation/Freedom Day spread to neighboring states, as well as Alabama, Florida, and California as African American Texans migrated.Let us pray.
God of Heaven and Earth,
you created the one human family
and endowed each person with great dignity.
Aid us, we pray, in overcoming the sin of racism.
Grant us your grace in eliminating this blight
from our hearts, our communities,
our social and civil institutions.
Fill our hearts with love for you and our neighbor
so that we may work with you
in healing our land from racial injustice.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God,
for ever and ever.
Amen
