Prayers for Civil Matters

From the book, "Holy Women, Holy Men"

Almighty God, by the hand of Moses your servant you led your people out of slavery, and made them free at last: Grant that your Church, following the example of your prophet Martin Luther King, may resist oppression in the name of your love, and may secure for all your children the blessed liberty of the Gospel of Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen.

O God, Creator and Redeemer of every race and nation: We praise and thank you for the wonderful diversity of cultures and peoples among us. By the grace of the Holy Spirit, give us readiness to welcome those who differ from us. Open our hearts and minds to repent from anxiety and fear which cause us to judge others who are unlike us. Let us see the living Christ in them as they see Christ alive in us. Help us to be bold and courageous to confront hatred, injustice and misunderstanding in our families, communities and nation, through the love and mercy of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Almighty God, who created us in your own image: Grant us grace fearlessly to contend against evil and to make no peace with oppression; and, that we may reverently use our freedom, help us to employ it in the maintenance of justice in our communities and among the nations, to the glory of your holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, p. 260)

O God of mercy and grace, You bring hope in the midst of senseless tragedy and light in the midst of deepest darkness: we confess our need for the Risen Christ as we face into the realities of gun violence in the United States of America. We are mindful especially of the deaths of innocent shoppers in a Buffalo, New York grocery store, and students and teachers in classes at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas. So many children and adults have become fatal victims of young men with access to powerful weapons.

We grieve with those loved ones who lost their lives in these shootings, and for so many in other shootings across this nation. We lift to Your compassion, the injured, and pray for your healing grace. We beseech your presence to be with so many schoolchildren and area residents whose souls are scarred forever by these crimes. May You walk with them, dear Lord, in the valley of the shadow of death.

Deliver this nation, almighty God, from profound anxiety and anger. Help all of us to see Your hand at work in the world about us. We bring before you those who serve in the Senate and the House of Representatives and ask that You guide them with wisdom and fairness in dealing with the meaning of the Second Amendment. Convert our minds and hearts to give all citizens a proper perspective in the use of firearms.

Release your Holy Spirit, o God, to put our full faith and trust in you. Let Your peace which passes all understanding and direct us to be peacemakers in time of anguish and sorrow. Bless us and sustain us now, and in every time of challenge, through Jesus Christ, the King of peace. Amen.