Holy God:
We come to you with hearts seeking your help and seeking your way. In the midst of a world full of concerns, we cry out to you. As we watch troubles spring up in Iraq, Syria, Israel/Palestine, and even in Ferguson MO, we wonder how we may find peace. We have varying opinions about the issues that have caused violence and conflict in many places. What we can agree about is our own inadequacy to bring peace and stability to our world.
Forgive us, Lord, for we easily take sides. We easily assign blame. We easily decide that the people we support are fighting for good and would establish good if they would prevail in the struggle. We easily condemn the others, we easily close our hearts to their concerns and their trials. We easily categorize people as the right people and the wrong people.
We forget that all people are in the same category in your eyes: Precious and beloved, made in your image and likeness, worthy of the sacrifice of your son. And yet, all are fallen, sinful, deluded, and destructive to themselves and others. We are all the problem and we are all the solution. We are all the good guys and we are all the bad guys. We are all the object of your compassion and of your judgement. We are all desperately in need of your love and grace, especially those who don’t fully realize it.
Have mercy on US. Have mercy on all of us and each of us. Have mercy on our world. Have mercy on me. Hear our cries. Set us free. Set us free from ourselves. Heal us and deliver us.
Amen
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