NASHVILLE, Tenn. July 28, 2022 / The Upper Room / Upper Room Books, a division of The Upper Room, will release on August 1, 2022, Psalms for Black Lives: Reflections for the Work of Liberation by authors Rev. Dr. Gabby Cudjoe Wilkes and Rev. Andrew Wilkes.
Psalms for Black Lives initially arose as devotionals for a churchwide fasting experience led by the Revs Wilkes during the summer of 2020 when America was ablaze with righteous indignation over the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and countless others.
The Wilkes found the ancient words of the Psalms spoke truth and inspiration not only to their immediate community, but also to the growing number of people called to the difficult work of pursuing justice, confronting structural racism, and building a society that equitably values Black lives.
Psalms for Black Lives includes thirty devotions, each containing a psalm, a reflection, and an invitation for the reader to develop a justice imagination through engagement with the text. The book also features discussion questions to support small-group study and a guide for congregational and community group interaction.
In her recommendation for the book, Risë Nelson, Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Yale University Library writes, “Pastors Gabby and Andrew have made this offering from and of love as a reminder of who you and we are. It is an invitation to renew your faith in God and in the power of our community. It is a confirmation of God’s plan for each of us and of God’s promise to be with us in our challenges and our victories.” Rev. Kimberly Orr, publisher of The Upper Room states, “For too long the Black experience and voice have been muted as interpretive conversation partners for the Psalms. The Wilkes go a long way toward remedying this disparity. Psalms for Black Lives is an important work for beginning the healing process in our churches.”
The Reverends Wilkes are co-founders and co-lead pastors of The Double Love Experience Church in Brooklyn, New York. Psalms for Black Lives is inspired by the countless individuals, organizers, collectives, and assemblies fighting, struggling, and planning for the liberation of Black lives, a precondition for the liberation of humanity.
To learn more, please visit UpperRoomBooks.com/BlackLives.
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The Upper Room is a global ministry dedicated to supporting the spiritual formation of Christians seeking to know and experience God more fully. From its beginnings as a daily devotional guide, The Upper Room has grown to include publications, programs, prayer support, and other resources to help believers of all ages and denominations move to a deeper level of faith and service. The Upper Room is a part of Discipleship Ministries. Visit UpperRoom.org to learn more.
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