He led the Montgomery bus boycott in 1955 and 1956, was jailed many times, and was assassinated in Memphis on 4 April 1968, at thirty-nine. Martin Luther King Jr. Day became a federal holiday in 1983 and was first observed in 1986. It falls on the third Monday of January, near his birthday on 15 January. Many communities mark it as a day of service.
Historical Context
A Prayer for MLK Day
God of justice and mercy,
thank you for Martin Luther King Jr.,
who preached your Word and lived it at great cost.
Let justice roll down like waters in our land.
Heal the wounds of racism in our communities, our churches and our own hearts.
Give us his courage to speak, his discipline not to hate,
and his hope that love is stronger than violence.
Make us peacemakers.
Amen.
For a Day of Service
Lord, as I serve today, let me serve you in my neighbour.
Amen.
For an End to Racism
Lord, you made every person in your image.
Show me where I’m blind, and give me the humility to change.
Amen.
Best Times for This Prayer
- On Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
- On 4 April, the anniversary of his death.
- Before a community service project.
Scripture Connection
“But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream.” — Amos 5:24
Amos was a farmer called to tell the comfortable that God cares about justice. King took up the same call twenty-seven centuries later.
Related prayers
For more, see the Black Family Prayer, the Balm of Gilead Prayer and the Volunteer Prayer.