A Tribute and A Prayer for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

For Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. -
A Tribute And A Prayer
by Rev. Bill McGinnis
www.internetchurchofchrist.org

January 15th is Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday. And April 4th is the anniversary of his death, by assassination. These two dates are worthy of remembrance by all people who love freedom and justice. And now we have the Martin Luther King Day holiday -- the third Monday in January -- in honor of his life.
One of my co-workers (from another country) asked me this question: "What did Martin Luther King actually do to deserve a holiday in his name?"

My reply was this:

"Martin Luther King was the unquestioned leader of the American Civil Rights movement during our period of transition from racial segregation to integration. As a Christian minister, he taught non-violence, and his leadership steered us safely through the changes without the kind of catastrophic violence we might have had otherwise. He was willing to risk his life for this cause, and his life was taken because of it. He is a true hero to everyone who loves justice."

I didn't appreciate him at the time, during his ministry. I was a know-it-all young white man from a segregated high school in Florida, and I thought he was a dangerous trouble-maker and probably a Communist. Only later did I realize how very important he had been, and how much we all owed to him for leading us safely through those perilous times, which could have turned into a disaster, but did not. And only recently have I come to discern the Holy Spirit shining within him, leading him every step of his way, even unto death.

So now I offer this prayer for him:

A Prayer For Martin Luther King


Dear Lord, I pray for Martin Luther King,
That You will bless his soul forevermore,
And keep him always close unto Yourself.

As You did put Your Spirit into Him,
I pray You put Your Spirit into us,
That we, like Martin, might be filled with love,
And we, like Martin, might have strength to act.

In Jesus' holy name I pray, Amen.

by Rev. Bill McGinnis - Public Domain

One Of His Favorite Songs: "Deep River"

With MIDI music, words, a and MP3 of the music - all
in the Public Domain. http://www.internetchurchofchrist.org/deepriver.html
Please see our page containing MLK's => "Letter From The Birmingham City Jail" at http://www.loveallpeople.org/letterfromthebirminghamcityjail.html - the original Public domain text, with an MP3 reading of it, also in the Public Domain.
Please also see our page about his "Mountaintop Speech," delivered the night before his assassination - with links to the text and actual recording, at => http://www.loveallpeople.org/mlkmountaintopspeech.html