Chants and Prayers for the African American

**REPOSTED***

African American women have always been a very spiritual people. We are, and can be, very unique in our spiritual practices. We have learned from our mothers, our grandmothers, great-grandmothers and aunts, how to have an active prayer life and how to direct our prayers accordingly. We have seen the tears of our mothers and grandmothers and even from women we do not know. We have seen the bond and support between friends who have loss a loved one or going through a particular issue. We have seen on many occasions how our African American sisters come together in a time of need.

With everything that is going on in the world today. It is time for us to return to the prayers of our ancestors. As many of you will remember, our ancestors prayers were not always "loving" or "forgiving" prayers. Our ancestors prayers had a lot to do with what they truly felt in their hearts at that time. For those of you who are followers of the Bible, you have read David's prayers to the most High God. David's prayers most often were to bring wrath, judgment, destruction, even blindness to his enemies. David also would ask God, "What do you want me to do? Do you want me to fight them or?" David was always in prayer before he did anything he went to God in prayer. 

Today, in 2016 with everything that is happening in the world today we need to get back to the prayers of our ancestors which also include the prayers of David, especially those found in the Psalms. Directing our prayers to what we truly feel in our heart. Sometimes it's hard to express and we might just sit in the presence of God and sway or moan, but when we have the words, ladies use them. Use your words and pray in truth directly your prayers accordingly.

Psalm 145:18, "The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth." 

If you are not a praying woman and really don't know where to begin, and this is new to you... here's a start:  

Deliver us from evil.

Did you know those four words are very powerful words? You expect the Father in heaven to deliver you from evil as the Lord's Prayer states. Deliver us from evil or deliver my husband and sons from evil. 

As I stated, direct your prayers to the truth of today such as, Father deliver my husband and children from evil and make them invisible to the evil ones in blue. Yes, I said in blue. The evil ones in blue. We see what's going on in the world today, but yet, many are still choosing to be passive with their prayer life while all them is falling. It's time that we all direct our prayers accordingly. Everyday, throughout the day say a prayer, chant a few words or sentences from the Bible. 

Ecclesiastes Chapter 3 tells us that there is a time for every purpose under heaven. Now is the time to keep you and your family, especially your sons, spiritually protected under the wings of the most High God. The book of Psalms is filled with prayers for protection and the heartfelt prayers from David. David poured his heart out to God and God always came through. He heard him and instructed him accordingly. 

The first two sentences in Psalm 94 below, says a great deal. David is asking God to show himself. He understands that vengeance belongs to him and in so many words David is asking God to bring it on... shut it down. How many times did God show himself in the Old Testament? Plenty of times. How many times did God say, "I am the God of Israel" and their enemies were shut down? Plenty of times. Why would God stop now? He's the same God!

Why not, instead of marching for justice with raised fists and loud words, try this:

Chant for God to bring Justice from Psalm 94

O God to whom vengeance belongeth show thyself. 

O God to whom vengeance belongeth show thyself. 

O God to whom vengeance belongeth show thyself.

The above verses can be said/chanted whenever you see injustice. We've seen so much injustice over these past few weeks. Why hasn't the protest included these verses? No Justice No Peace is not relevant for these times. When you really think about it, we're not at peace, but the oppressors are. It's time to get back to the prayers of our ancestors. We don't need raised fists or weapons of destruction for we serve a mighty God who abhors wickedness. 

I know this is different for many of you, but these are the times in which we live in. And for those of you who practice African traditional religions I haven't forgotten about you. The Boukman prayer below was said right before the Haitian revolution which was a victory! 

Dutty Boukman Prayer

"The God who created the earth; who created the sun that gives us light. The God who holds up the ocean; who makes the thunder roar. Our God who has ears to hear. You who are hidden in the clouds; who watch us from where you are. You see all that the white man has made us suffer. The white's man's god asks him to commit crimes. But the god within us wants to do good. Our God, who is so good, so just, He orders us to revenge our wrongs. It's He who will direct our arms and bring us the victory. It's He who will assist us. We all should throw away the image of the white man's god who is so pitiless. Listen to the voice for liberty that sings in all our hearts."

Some may believe the prayer is racist or said to start riots or the like, but you know what... it's a truthful prayer. It's a prayer that came from the heart of a people who were... tired of the bullshit. And their fight was a successful victory. Calling upon our Gods as oftentimes, more times than not, led to success. 

I have heard a few say, "God is waiting on us." And could that statement be true? As Trump would say, and I'm not a fan, "What do we have to lose?" I have never heard us as a people call upon God in a march or protest... why not? We're always begging to be treated fairly, but yet we're a praying and spiritual people, who rarely lift up our voices to God. 

The most High God has many aspects and we can't be afraid to call upon those aspects. Now is the time, Ladies to direct your prayers accordingly without fear. And watch your God work as His Word says and God's Word will never return to you void.

Until next time.