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Prayers for Justice


Prayers for those looking for justice in this world

"Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked." (Psalm 82:3,4)

" The Lord is known by his acts of justice; the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands." (Psalm 9:16)

 "But about the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom." (Hebrews 1:8)

"For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.” (Acts 17:31)

 "This is what the Lord Almighty said: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.'" (Zechariah 7:9)


Forgive our reluctance
to raise our voices
where we see injustice.
Forgive our reluctance
to become involved
where we see suffering.
Forgive our reluctance
to become a light
in this world’s darkness.
Forgive us, inspire us
to make a difference,
to be your willing servants,
become your true disciples
within this fragile world.



God of love and justice
speak into the hearts
of all whose words
encourage others
into acts of violence,
and innocent lives
are lost or broken.
Soften their hearts
and open their eyes,
that they might see
your image reflected
in the faces of all people
and know that all
are equal in your sight.



For all those brave voices
speaking out on injustice,
inequality, abuse of power,
and corporate greed, who
want to leave this world
a better, more equitable
place for their children
and grandchildren to inherit.
Who are willing to stand
in the firing line of politics
and suffer the consequences
for speaking out the truth.
Bless their endeavours.
May their voices be heard,
and this world, your gift to us,
begin once more to resemble
the world that you intended.



We pray for justice
wherever people
are traded for profit,
and lives are lost,
abused and scarred.
We pray for victims
and their families,
often deceived by lies,
seeking a future,
not seeing the cost.
Heavenly Father,
for those who mourn
we ask for comfort,
for those who suffer
we ask for healing,
for those found guilty
may justice prevail.



We pray for families
torn apart by explosion
of missile or artillery round,
and those living in fear
of rocket launch or terrorist fire -
wherever they might be,
whoever they might be -
for they are united
in their adversity
and distress.
Bring comfort, peace
and refreshment
for those whose hearts are dry.
We pray for leaders
who have no regard
for the sanctity of human life
in pursuit of ideologies
or political ambition -
wherever they might be,
whoever they might be -
for they are united
in their arrogance
and wilfulness.
Bring wisdom, love
and repentance
for those whose hearts are cold.
For your love
is far greater than
the hatred of this world,
far greater than
the sorrows of this world.
Infuse this world with your love
and begin with us, we pray.
Amen

 


 

Grant us a willingness
to speak out for the weak
and vulnerable.
Grant us a readiness
to point out the corrupt
and indefensible.

 


 

When cries for justice
are met by violence,
tear gas and military response,
and lawlessness
only adds to the suffering
of local communities,
be the peace that speaks
into these situations,
the truth that calls for
repentance,
the love that demands
forgiveness,
and the healer
who brings wholeness
into broken lives
and neighbourhoods.

 


 

There is more to peace
than a temporary
cessation of hostility,
political solutions
cannot undo such
wilful disregard
for human life.
First must come
repentance,
forgiveness,
and finally, shalom.
God of grace,
work in hearts
torn apart by hate,
pour upon them
your healing balm of love;
bring wholeness,
restoration and hands
that reach out to embrace,
rather than cause more pain.
Bring your peace,
your shalom.
Amen.

 


 

One in eight, Lord,
will eat just less than enough
than their body requires
before they sleep tonight,
and every night.
One in eight, Lord,
will eat just less than enough
to feed body and mind,
and succumb to illnesses
they cannot fight.
One in eight, Lord,
will eat just less than enough.
As our plates are cleaned
and needs satisfied,
remind us, Lord.

 


 

For all young people
whose childhood
has been exchanged
for bonded slavery,
sweatshops or mines,
domestic servitude,
sex trade or crime,
we pray for liberty.
Give them a voice
that this world can hear,
a cry for justice
that will not be silenced,
until chains are broken,
and these, your children,
are finally set free.



We pray justice
for the falsely accused,
freedom for the wrongly imprisoned,
healing for the tortured or abused,
care for the orphan and widow,
concern for the refugee and dispossessed,
and above all forgiveness
for our emotional detachment.
May we weep as you weep,
love as you love,
and not be afraid to be angry
for the sake of your children,
wherever they might be.
In our helplessness we ask,
Lord, enfold them in your love.



When cries for justice
are met by violence,
tear gas and military response,
and lawlessness
only adds to the suffering
of local communities,
be the peace that speaks
into these situations,
the truth that calls for
repentance,
the love that demands
forgiveness,
and the healer
who brings wholeness
into broken lives
and neighbourhoods.

 



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©John Birch · Prayers written by the author may be copied freely for worship. If reproduced elsewhere please acknowledge author/website
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