Reflections of a Praying Mother

(Inspired by Rev. Dr. King’s 1963 sermon, “A Knock at Midnight”)

Last week, I thought about what I would tell my children

about this moment in history.

This week, I’m thinking about the Church

In this moment in history.

Because what the Church chooses to be right now

will quietly teach our children who God is—and who God is not.

Dr. King warned that the Church is not meant to be

the master of the state,

or the servant of the state,

but the CONSCIENCE of the state.

That matters to me as a mother.

Our children are watching how we respond

when fear grows louder than love,

when laws harm the vulnerable,

when silence feels safer than truth.

A knock is echoing in the night.

Not to shame us—but to wake us.

If the Church answers with courage,

our children will learn that faith stands for justice.

If we answer with fear or apathy,

they will learn that God is small.

So tonight, I pray that the Church remembers who it belongs to.

That we stay awake.

That we choose love over comfort.

And that when morning comes,

our children will know

we did not sleep through the moment.

“Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” — 1 John 3:18