MLK Day Prayers for Church Services: Liturgy & Sermon Resources

Updated for 2026.

January 19, 2026 is Martin Luther King Jr. Day—the only U.S. national holiday commemorating a pastor. Under his leadership, non-violent civil rights advocacy achieved leaps forward for racial equality in the U.S.

Though Christianity has at times been used to support it, racism is antithetical to the universality of the gospel and the unlimited scope of neighbor-love commanded by Jesus.

The Sunday (Jan. 18) before Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a perfect opportunity to use the holiday to remind your congregations, not only of how far we have come, but how far we still have to go in acknowledging the equal value of every human being—each bearing God's image.

This post offers liturgical and sermon resources for remembering and inviting your congregation to join in his legacy.

Interested in more resources for incorporating themes of race and reconciliation in your sermons and church services? See our worship guide.

MLK Jr. Prayers for Church Services

It is a shame that more of Martin Luther King Jr.'s prayers have not made it into our liturgies. They are theologically rich, inspirational, and drip with biblical images and allusions.

A Prayer for Freedom and Racial Equality

by Martin Luther King Jr.

Source: Speech, "Some things we must do," delivered at Second Annual Non violence and Social Change Conference at Holt Street Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama, Dec. 5, 1957. (link)

Responsive Prayer of Repentance

by Martin Luther King Jr. (Adapted for responsive prayer)

Consider using this as a prayer of confession.

This is based on a prayer he offered when King joined Billy Graham on stage at Madison Square Garden as part of his evangelistic campaign on July 18, 1957. (King Papers at Stanford)

Sermon Illustration: Tell them About the Dream, Martin!

Martin Luther King Jr.'s brilliant "I Have a Dream" speech might not have happened if it hadn't been for gospel singer Mahalia Jackson.

Jackson was already an internationally renowned singer and had frequently joined King on stage in the past—she had just finished the last musical act before his speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial as part of the 1963 March on Washington—250,000 people waited to hear what King had to say.

As King inched towards the climax of his remarks, he seemed to hesitate, perhaps unsure of whether his prepared remarks were as inspiring as he had hoped. At that moment, he heard a woman's voice behind him: “Tell them about the dream, Martin! Tell them about the dream!” It was Jackson.

He looked over at Jackson. He then looked forward, took his prepared speech, and pushed it toward the left side of the lectern.

Clarence Jones, one of Dr. King's advisors, watched him and leaned over to the person next to him and said, "These people out there, they don’t know it, but they’re about ready to go to church." (See interview with Jones.)

What King said next was not in his notes. He had not planned to talk about the dream—he would not have, had it not been for Jackson, who had heard him testing out versions of it on previous occasions.

Jackson's role in prompting King enhances rather than lessens the power the "Dream" speech. It is a picture of the church in miniature. Jackson's gift of boldness and encouragement ignited King's gift to say what needed to be said and what few others could have done so well. Her iron sharpened his iron.

Because he didn't brush her off or ignore her (as powerful men often have with women), he put into words the longings of a generation for justice and equality. Behind those enduring words was the gospel—God's desire to reconcile the world to himself, doing away with our hostility to him and to each other, uniting us with the love of Jesus Christ.

(Bonus: Hear Mahalia Jackson sing "Amazing Grace.")

4 Quotes on Race and Justice

Here are some quotes to help you craft sermons that address themes related to the life and work of Martin Luther King Jr.

Sunday Segregation

Majorities and Minorities Experience Life Differently

Sojourner Truth on Racism

Let Justice Roll On

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More Resources on Race & Reconciliation

If you're looking for more inspiration for your services and sermons, take a look at our worship guide with links to our resources on issues of race, racism, equality, and justice.