Friday, January 01, 2021

A Prayer for Troubled Times

God of all humanity and all creation, you call us to "do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God."

Help us to remember that we must balance justice with mercy and temper mercy with justice; to hold those who do harm accountable but not seek revenge, and to always humbly seek your wisdom in discerning this balance.

Help us to remember that you love both perpetrators of harm and those who have been harmed, and help us to pray for all concerned.

Remind us that you are our refuge and strength, and grant us your peace that passes understanding to guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Keep us free from all anxiety as we both take good care of ourselves and continue to serve you peacefully, simply, together.

In the name of the Crucified One, we pray.

Amen.

Shared with permission from pastor Bobbi Dykema, 1st Church of the Brethren, Springfield, Ill.