“So God created humankind in God’s own image…” — Genesis 1:27 (NRSV)
We Are All Image-Bearers of God
Each year on March 21st, the world remembers the 1960 Sharpeville massacre in South Africa, when peaceful protesters opposing apartheid’s pass laws were killed by police. The tragedy became a global turning point, exposing the brutality of racial segregation and galvanizing international movements against racism.
Racial discrimination remains a persistent reality across the globe. In recent years, we have seen rising hate crimes, discrimination against migrants and refugees, and systemic inequalities that shape access to housing, education, healthcare, and justice. These injustices remind us that racism is not simply a relic of the past – it is a spiritual and moral challenge that confronts every generation.
For Christians, the conviction that every person bears the image of God demands more than polite tolerance. It calls us to stand in solidarity with those whose dignity is denied. Faith invites us to listen, to learn, and to act so that our communities reflect the justice and compassion of God’s kingdom.
Prayer
God of justice and mercy,
You created every person in your image and called your creation good.
Open our eyes to the harm caused by racism and discrimination.
Give us courage to confront injustice and compassion to stand with those who suffer.
May your Spirit guide us toward a world where every person is treated with dignity and love.
Amen.
About This Series
This is the first post in a week-long series of Bethel Church of the Nazarene’s reflections during the United Nations’ Week of Solidarity with the Peoples Struggling against Racism and Racial Discrimination (March 21–27, annually). Observed around the world, this week invites communities to remember the harms caused by racism, stand in solidarity with those who experience discrimination, and recommit ourselves to justice and dignity for all people.
Through scripture, prayer, and reflection, we seek to listen, learn, and respond faithfully to God’s call to love our neighbors and work toward a more just and compassionate world.
