Image: Library of Congress
Dear Massa Jesus,
We all beg you to come call on us this day.
We is nothin’ but poor Ethiopian women
and people ain’t think much about us.
We ain’t trust any of them great high people
who come to church,
but we do trust in the one great Massa,
much greater than Massa Lincoln,
you ain’t ashamed to care for us African people.
Come to us, dear Massa Jesus.
The sun is hot, the road is long and sandy
and we ain’t got no buggy to send and fetch you.
But Massa, you remember how you walked
that hard walk up Calvary and weren’t weary
but thought about us all that way.
We know you ain’t weary to come to us.
We picked out the thorns, the prickles, the briers,
the backslidin’ and the quarreling and the sin
out of your path so they can’t hurt
your pierced feet no more.
Come to us, dear Massa Jesus.
We all ain’t got no cool water to give you when you’re thirsty.
You know, Massa, the drought is so long
and the well is so low, there ain’t nothin’ but mud to drink.
But we’re gonna take the communion cup
and fill it with the tears of repentance,
and love clean out of our hearts.
That’s all we have to give you, good Massa.
And Massa Jesus, you say you’re gonna stand at the door and knock.
But you ain’t gonna stand at our door, Massa, and knock.
We set the door plum open for you and watch up the road to see you.
[one woman rose quietly and set the door wide open]
Come, Massa Jesus, Come!
We know that you are near,
our hearts are all just tremblin’, tremblin’
we are so glad to have you here.
And Massa, our church ain’t good enough for you to sit down in,
but stop by the door just one minute, dear Massa Jesus,
and whisper one word to our hearts – one good word –
and we will listen.
Aunt Jane’s prayer, modernized somewhat
The Prayer Tradition of Black People, page 49
Aunt Jane’s Prayer (pdf)
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O God, you are my God;
I earnestly search for you.
My soul thirsts for you;
my whole body longs for you
in this parched and weary land
where there is no water.
I have seen you in your sanctuary
and gazed upon your power and glory.
Your unfailing love is better than life itself;
how I praise you!
prayer & verse 