For Julia

This prayer really touched me today. I have recently learned of and celebrated the fact that I have relatives that I did not know I had. A young woman contacted me who was researching my third great grandfather. She too is a descendant of this same man. He is her 4th great grandfather. But, she is his descendant by a slave he owned. I am both happy and sad. I am happy to have found more relatives in my family tree, but I am saddened by the events that took place in our country's history and that my ancestor had a part in it. In my heart I hope that they loved each other and that it was mutual consent, but I know also in my heart that it is more likely that it was not. I pray for forgiveness for the wrongs that were done in the past by my ancestor. I cannot change the past, but I can take part in our country's future.
Marianne's prayer was just what I needed to pray today.

Marianne Williamson

From my book ILLUMINATA, "Prayer of Amends to the African-American"...

To the African-American of the United States:
For what has been done to hurt you and offend you,
For the evils of racism throughout our history,
... Please forgive us and please forgive this country.
We acknowledge to you the evils that have occurred here
In your life and in the lives of your ancestors.
On behalf of our nation, we deeply apologize.
If we could rewrite history we would, but we cannot.
God can. Dear God, please do.
We acknowledge now the genius of your people.
the brilliance of your spirit
and the pain you have endured.
May the demon of racism be cast off,
out of this country and away from this world.
May there be in nation a correction of our hearts
and the resurrection of our spirits,
that nevermore shall any hearts be enslaved.
May the future be made new
and the pain of the past be gone forever.
May past hatred, dear God,
now become a present love.
May a wave of forgiveness truly wash us clean,
as we atone in our hearts for the evils of the past.
May black and white America have a miraculous healing.
May we begin again as brothers, for that is what we are.
God bless your children unto all generations.
May the spirit of this amends bring peace to your soul.
Truly, you have waited long.
We bless your children.
Please bless ours.
Thank you, and thank God.
Amen