Lord, we entreat you to bring our nations back to God.
Break in on the madness of our violence against each other. Bring to nought the machinations of men who plot to take what isn't theirs, and inflict their ferocious oppression on those who have no power. Breathe a new heart into those who live with revenge as their moral compass. Raise up strong souls who will speak and act for peace. Protect the innocent; shackle malice; overcome evil with good.
We beseech you to intrude upon our greed; disentangle us from our consumerism with your example of simplicity. Temper our prejudices with your compassion. Have governance over those who prey on others.
Bless those burnt by the hypocrisy and carelessness of the organised church. Heal those who have been abused in any way. Cajole those who have abandoned their faith, back to a rich knowledge of your Presence.
We ask you to renew those who are world-weary with refreshment and strength. Give a renewed thirst for wholesomeness, to those who have allowed the weeds of unholy living to choke their happiness. Help those who battle with depression and anxiety.
Be ever present with our secular leaders so they never go too far into bad practice or oppressive purpose.
Bless us, your authentic people as we all walk our own journeys. Give us always, across and between our different traditions, a unity in You, as the body of Christ.
Shine on our darkness; encourage our holiness, authenticate our witness with our resolve to live your precepts, so that our lives will light the way to faith, for those who have no hope.
We invite you to share all our grief and mitigate our sorry with your peace.
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