Posts Tagged ‘justice’

Newer Entries »

Finding Our Way, Pursuing Truth

November 17, 2019

Another prayer for our country, adapted from The Book of Common Prayer.

Almighty God, you proclaim your truth in every age by many voices. Direct, in our time, we pray, those who speak where many listen and write where many read, that they may do their part in making the heart of our people wise, its mind sound, and its will righteous. And help the people seek wisdom and reject appeals to hate and fear. Help us to pursue truth, and justice, and mercy, to the honor of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Tags:, , , ,
Posted in politics, Prayer | 1 Comment »

God Mend Thine Every Flaw

July 4, 2017

“America, America! God mend thine every flaw.  Confirm thy soul in self control, thy liberty in law.”  From the Hymn “America The Beautiful”, verse 3.

O Lord, mend our every flaw, especially those fed by hate, fear, and greed.

Give us the courage and the discipline to learn even from those with whom we disagree, to acknowledge and study the complexities of the issues before us, and to be civil and kind in our speech.

Help us pursue and implement laws that are grounded in justice and support our common life, acknowledging our responsibility and care for one another.

Let us use our liberties wisely, and be thankful for what we have.

Give us the strength to persevere so that we might truly become, “one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

Amen.

 

 

Tags:, , , , , , , ,
Posted in politics, Prayer | Leave a Comment »

Prayers For Peace

September 11, 2014

O God, you will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are fixed on you . . . Isaiah 26:3

On this 13th anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center, we pray for an end to hate and violence throughout our world.  We remember and pray for those who died in the attacks, that they might be at peace with you. We pray for their families and friends, that in their grieving they may find the peace which transcends all understanding. [Php.4:7] And we pray for all who remain in our unstable and violent world, that we may find new ways of living together.

We pray for peace O God.

O God, our creator, look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and guide us as we work through our struggle and confusion. [#3]*

We pray for peace O God.

O Lord you have commanded us to love our enemies:  Lead them and us from prejudice to truth; deliver them and us from hatred, cruelty, and revenge; and in your good time enable us all to stand reconciled before you. [#6]

We pray for peace O God.

Give us the grace seriously to lay to heart the great dangers we are in by our unhappy divisions; take away all hatred and prejudice, hurt and anger, and whatever else may hinder us from peaceful union and concord. Help us to seek the holy bonds of truth and peace, of compassion and charity. [#14]

We pray for peace O God.

Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom all nations and people work in harmony, guide us in love. [#3, 4]  Lead us from dissension, factions and selfish ambitions to a world abundant in  the fruits of your Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  [Galatians 5:19-26]  Guide all the nations, — and each of us as individuals in our interactions with family, neighbors, and community, —  into the ways of justice and truth, peace and love.  [5]

Grant us peace O God.

 

* Adapted in part from The Book of Common Prayer, “Prayers and Thanksgivings”,  No.s 3 -6, 14.

Tags:, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in politics, Prayer | Leave a Comment »

Civility In the New Year

January 20, 2011

But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.  Do not lie to each other . . . Colossians 3:8-9

At the start of a new year we begin with shots in Tuscon bringing grief, recriminations, calls for reconciliation, and bewilderment.

Lord, help us to be a better people than we are.

Help us to seek wisdom over partisan power, justice over greed, forgiveness over hate.  Help us to be honest with ourselves and with others, both as to what we think we know and what we do not.  Comfort all who grieve for the victims of violence.  And as we mourn, fill us also with compassion for those whose mental illness goes untreated, those who cannot find work, those who struggle to find food and shelter, and those who only fear the future.  Turn us from fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy.  Turn us towards kindness, patience, self-control, and the desire to live together in peace. (Galatians 5:19-23).  Equip us to find new ways of living together and new ways of sharing and service.

Show us your ways, O Lord, teach us your paths; guide us in your truth and teach us, for you are God our Savior and our hope is in you all day long. Ps. 25:4-5

We can be a better people than we have been.  Help us to change O Lord.

Amen

Tags:, , , , , , ,
Posted in politics, Prayer | Leave a Comment »

Loyalty and Justice

May 2, 2010

If you have understanding hear this; listen to what I say. Can he who hates justice govern?  Will you condemn the just and mighty One? Job 34: 16-17

. . . O my people, your guides lead you astray; they turn you from the path. Is. 3:12

Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray . . . 1 John 3:7

Lord, when political parties require “loyalty oaths” which they seek to enforce regardless of a representative’s conscience, hear our cry for freedom.

Lord, when money decides who can run and what views the voter hears, hear our cry for truth.

Lord, when power and celebrity are the guiding forces of many who would seek to govern, raise up stewards of the public good.

Lord, when the noise and fear and confusion threaten to overwhelm us, grant us the wisdom to find our way.

We put our trust in you, O Lord, as we look to build a better future.

Amen.

Tags:, , , , , ,
Posted in politics, Prayer | Leave a Comment »

Harden Not Our Hearts

March 21, 2009

If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. Isaiah 58:9-10

Lord, we have allowed market forces to create a deep divide between rich and poor, and many struggle for food and housing, and basic medical and dental care. Although you have commanded us to be openhanded toward our brothers and sisters, the poor and needy in the land (Dt. 15:11), funds for housing, mental health, services for the aging, education and food are threatened with cuts in states that would turn away federal aid that could help the least among us. We talk of values yet fail to heed your call to compassion, to kindness, to generosity, and to faith. We quarrel, and threaten one another, and fail to seek the knowledge that could help us fill our common need. We pray for relief yet fail to recognize your promise to restore those who keep your word. Today, Lord, help us hear your voice; harden not our hearts. (Heb. 3:8)  Help us move forward, towards justice, and with real concern and caring for one another, and especially for those who are most in need.  In Jesus’ name we pray.

Amen

Tags:, , , , ,
Posted in politics, Prayer | Leave a Comment »

Newer Entries »