Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
~St. Francis of Assisi
And Lord,
where there are promises of retribution, may we insist on healing;
where there is racism, may we counter it with outrageous love for one another;
where there are innocents, may we protect them;
where there are differing views of morality, may we sit at your feet and learn your views;
where there are poor and broken people, may we show up;
where there are evil regimes, may we not collude;
where there are believers in the teachings of Jesus, may we boldly carry out those teachings, even if we are persecuted;
where there is division, may we find unity under your banner;
where there are enemies to democracy, may we fight for freedom;
where there are demands of loyalty to false gods, may we have the clarity and strength to refuse;
where there are greed, selfishness, and fear, may we fall on our knees before the One who can turn it all around;
where there is pride, may we oppose it;
where there is humility, may we side with it;
where there is evil, may we resist it;
where there is love, may we wrap our arms around it and never let it go.