Praying with Priscilla Jane + Clara Ann Thompson

Hearken to my plea for guidance, as I kneel before Thy throne, cheer me with Thy Holy Presence when I feel I’m all alone. Keep me within Thy care; compel me to the right. ‘Tis sweet to walk with Thee in darkness and in light.

Priscilla Jane Thompson and Clara Ann Thompson were poets of the Harlem Renaissance who lived and organized in Ohio. They were the midwest connection that gave inspiration to a national historic movement which was centered in a particular locale, New York City. While they never lived in Harlem, theirs were the perspective and foresight of Harlem Renaissance artists, no matter where they produced their art. For these sisters, born to parents who self-liberated from slavery, Blackness and faith were intertwined. Priscilla once remarked that the goal of her writing was to bring "true Black characters to life with honesty and depth".

They wrote from their shared sense of empathy and alignment with the broader goal of connecting Black people across the United States to an ethos of liberation. Priscilla and Clara's poetry also connects Black people across time as their work is a link between the Civil War and the movement for civil rights. The two sisters shared a strong faith, and that harmonized fortitude is our inspiration for today’s prayer time of lament, purpose, and fellowship across a deeper distance that covers our weary world today.

Let’s pray together

Oh, Lord! I lift my heart, in gratitude to Thee. For blessings, manifold, Thou hast bestowed on me. When conflicts raged within, too blinding to express, Thou pitied still my tongue, and soothed my heart to rest. Keep me within Thy care; compel me to the right. ‘Tis sweet to walk with Thee in darkness and in light. 

Listen, Lord we are the working poor, surrounded by risk and conflicted by doubt. We are called essential but treated as disposable, oh how we hate it here. Lord, we long for assurance. Make your answer clear.

Weary, worn and sorrow laden, Jesus I have come to Thee. shield me from the darts of satan, set my fettered spirit free. Hearken to my plea for guidance, as I kneel before Thy throne, cheer me with Thy Holy Presence when I feel I’m all alone. 

Listen, Lord we know that Asian communities are daily at risk of racial terror, and how we hate it here. We need dignity and justice. So make your answer swift and clear.

Struggling with the cares that press me; falling, when I fain would stand. Thou alone canst guide and keep me, take oh take my trembling hand! Pity Thou my many failings! Strengthen Thou my faltering trust. Keep me ‘mid the wind’s loud wailing, Thou the Pitiful and Just! 

Listen, Lord; many of your children are sick and dying, and your children who care for them wake burdened from nights of mourning and rage. Lord, how we hate it here. But we would know the dawning light of comfort. Please make your answer clear.

Lord I’ve put my trust in Thee, and I’m content. Whatsoever my lot may be, though my way I may not see; I’m content. Lord I feel Thy Presence near, and I’m content. In Thy care, I know not fear, Though the tempter’s voice I hear; I’m secure when Thou art near, and I’m content.

Listen, Lord we are trapped at home. We know we are privileged, still we feel so alone, and how we hate it here. But we would know contentment. Make your answer clear.

[Pray this section out loud]

Out of the deep, we cry to you, oh Lord! Out of the deep of darkness, and distress; We cannot, will not doubt your blessed word, Oh, God of righteousness!

We cry, and oh, God, we know you’ll heed, For You have promised you would hear our cry; We have no words to tell our deepest need, You know, oh, Most High! You know all the pain, — the agony, The grief we strive so vainly to express; Oh let your sheltering wings spread over us, Great God of tenderness!

And when too weak to lift our voice, we lie In utter silence at your blessed feet, You’ll know, that silence is our deepest cry, Your throne, our last retreat.

And should you hide you face forever, from me, Our hearts, though shattered, evermore would grope - out through the darkness, still in search of Thee, Oh God, our only hope! 

Listen, Lord we are empty this morning, and how we hate it here. But we would know your fullness. Please make your answer clear. Amen

Scriptures: Psalm 18, Psalm 22, Acts 16

Songs: Give Me A Praying Spirit, Clark Sisters // Pray for Me, Kendrick Lamar 

Images: What’s Inside Her Never Dies // the strength of the sisters, NFN Kalyan

Poems: Out of the Deep: A Prayer, Clara Ann Thompson // Storm Beaten, Clara Ann Thompson // A Prayer, Priscilla Jane Thompson // A Hymn, Priscilla Jane Thompson.