“I know that the Lord maintains the cause of the needy, and executes justice for the poor.”
On this Friday evening, let us pray this prayer of Justice and Peace from the Iona Community together...
Let us pray for the breaking in of God’s kingdom in our world today.
Lord God, because Jesus has taught us to trust you in all things, we hold to his word and share his plea:
Your kingdom come, your will be done.
Where nations budget for war while Christ says, “Put away your sword”:
Your kingdom come, your will be done.
Where countries waste food and covet fashion while Christ says, “I was hungry . . . I was thirsty . . .”:
Your kingdom come, your will be done.
Where powerful governments claim their policies are heaven blessed while Scripture states that God helps the powerless:
Your kingdom come, your will be done.
Where Christians seek the kingdom in the shape of their own church as if Christ came to build and not to break barriers:
Your kingdom come, your will be done.
Where our prayers falter, our faith weakens, our light grows dim:
Your kingdom come, your will be done.
Where Jesus Christ calls us:
Your kingdom come, your will be done.
Lord God, you have declared that your kingdom is among us. Open our ears to hear it, our hands to serve it, our hearts to hold it. This we pray in Jesus’ name.
Amen.
Psalm 140
1 Deliver me, O Lord, from evildoers;
protect me from those who are violent,
2 who plan evil things in their minds
and stir up wars continually.
3 They make their tongue sharp as a snake’s,
and under their lips is the venom of vipers.Selah
4 Guard me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked;
protect me from the violent
who have planned my downfall.
5 The arrogant have hidden a trap for me,
and with cords they have spread a net,[a]
along the road they have set snares for me.Selah
6 I say to the Lord, “You are my God;
give ear, O Lord, to the voice of my supplications.”
7 O Lord, my Lord, my strong deliverer,
you have covered my head in the day of battle.
8 Do not grant, O Lord, the desires of the wicked;
do not further their evil plot.[b]Selah
9 Those who surround me lift up their heads;[c]
let the mischief of their lips overwhelm them!
10 Let burning coals fall on them!
Let them be flung into pits, no more to rise!
11 Do not let the slanderer be established in the land;
let evil speedily hunt down the violent!
12 I know that the Lord maintains the cause of the needy,
and executes justice for the poor.
13 Surely the righteous shall give thanks to your name;
the upright shall live in your presence.