Praying About Justice

PA G E 1 O F 7

ALMIGHTY GOD OUR HEAVENLY FATHER, guide the nations of the world into the way of justice and truth, and establish among them that peace which is the fruit of righteousness, that they may become the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

— author unknown

GRANT US, LORD GOD, a vision of our land as your love would make it: a land where the weak are protected, and none go hungry or poor; a land where the benefits of a civilized life are shared, and everyone can enjoy them; a land where different races and cultures live in tolerance and mutual respect; a land where peace is built with justice, and justice is guided by love. And give us the inspiration and courage to build it, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

— The Church of England

JusticePraying about

PA G E 2 O F 7

O GOD OUR HEAVENLY FATHER, whose love sets no boundaries and whose strength is in service: Grant to the leaders of the nations wisdom, courage, and insight in times of darkness and fear. Give to all who exercise authority determination to defend the principles of freedom, love, and tolerance, strength to protect and safeguard the innocent, and clarity of vision to guide the world into the path of justice and peace. This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen.

— An Invitation to Prayer

CHRIST OUR LIGHT, your love burns in our hearts and builds in us a thirst for justice. Jesus, light of the world, you taught us how to reach out to others; open our ears to the stories that beg to be heard. You who are light and warmth, banish the darkness and bring us hope. Jesus, light of life, enfold us all with your love and incline our hearts to the leading of your healing spirit. Amen.

— Catholic Agency for Overseas Development

GOD OF HOPE, we ask you to clothe us in compassion and enfold us in your love. Send us out with the joy of Christ to feed the hungry with good things. Send us out in the peace of Christ to prepare a banquet for all peoples. For you will lift the pall of death and banish our sorrow. You will wipe away our tears and we will dance with joy. Send us out …there will be no more mourning. Send us out …there will be no more pain. God of hope, we hear you. God of life, we will answer your call. Amen.


MEDITATION ON THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father who art in heaven, you want us your children to build a new earth of sisterhood and brotherhood, not a hell of violence and death.

Holy be your name, that in your name, Lord, let there be no abuse, no oppression and no manipulation of the conscience and liberty of your children.

Your kingdom come, not the kingdom of fear, force or money, of seeking peace through war.

Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven, in this land of ours and in sister lands which echo with gunfire and cries of fear.

Give us this day our daily bread, the bread of peace, Lord, so that we can sow our maize and beans, watch them grow and share them together as a family.

“Jesus, light of life, enfold us all with your love and incline our hearts to the leading of your healing spirit.”

PA G E 3 O F 7

Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Do not let our relationships be based on self-interest. Let us change laments for songs of life, clenched fists for outstretched hands, and the weeping of widows and orphans for smiles.

Lead us not into temptation, the temptation to conform, to do nothing: the temptation not to collaborate with you in the search for justice and peace.

But deliver us from evil, from behaving like Cain to our brothers and sisters, from believing ourselves rulers over life and death.

For yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory.You are our hope of salvation, in you we place our trust. Amen.


DEAR LORD, help us to follow your example by looking out for those who each day feel that they are marginalized, who cannot find hope, who believe that they have little to offer, who are overcome by the challenges of poverty. Help us to widen our horizons, to make space for the stranger, to watch out for those who feel invisible, to give time to the outsider, to talk to the person facing silence, to restore justice and value. Give us the courage to undertake this, the determination to join with others in seeing grace in every human face, the faith to embrace the opportunity in your name. Amen.

— Church Urban Fund

DEAR LORD, help us not to overlook the hidden ones, those who are marginalized in our society, those who we often choose to forget or ignore. Lord, let us not be indifferent to the cries of brokenness. Help us to listen to their words and anxieties and not to judge them harshly Soften our hearts to be tender to those in need. We pray for your restoration in their lives. Show your grace to them as you have to us. In our Lord’s name. Amen.

— Church Urban Fund

“Help us to widen our horizons, to make space for the stranger, to watch out for those who feel invisible, to give time to the outsider, ”

PA G E 4 O F 7

FOR THE LEADERS OF THE NATIONS

Sovereign Lord of peoples and nations, we pray for all who are called to leadership among their fellows; give them vision to see far into the issues of their time, courage to uphold what they believe to be right and integrity in their words and motives; and may their service to their peoples promote the welfare and peace of the whole human race; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

— Basil Naylor

TO YOU, CREATOR OF NATURE AND HUMANITY, of truth and beauty, I pray: hear my voice, for it is the voice of the victims of all wars and violence among individuals and nations. Hear my voice, for it is the voice of all children who suffer and will suffer when people put their faith in weapons and war. Hear my voice, when I beg you to instill into the hearts of all human beings the wisdom of peace, the strength of justice, and the joy of fellowship. O God, hear my voice, and grant unto the world your everlasting peace. Amen.

— Pope John Paul II

LET US PRAY for those who foster violence, those who do not forgive others. May the Lord change their hearts, that they may seek peace and love their brothers and sisters. Amen.

— author unknown

WE DARE TO IMAGINE a world where hunger has no chance to show its face. We dare to dream of a world where war and terror are afraid to leave their mark. We long to believe in a world of hope unchained and lives unfettered. We dare to share in the creation of a world where your people break free. Dare we open our minds to difference? Dare we open our lives to change? Your kingdom come, O God. Your will be done. Amen.


“May the Lord change their hearts, that they may seek peace and love their brothers and sisters. ”

PA G E 5 O F 7

About World VisionWORLD VISION is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. Motivated by our faith in Jesus Christ, World Vision serves alongside the poor and oppressed as a demonstration of God’s unconditional love for all people. We see a world where each child experiences “fullness of life” as described in John 10:10. And we know this can be achieved only by addressing the problems of poverty and injustice in a holistic way. That’s how World Vision is unique: We bring 60 years of experience in three key areas needed to help children and families thrive: emergency relief, long-term development, and advocacy. And we bring all of our skills across many areas of expertise to each community we work in, enabling us to care for children’s physical, social, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

Partnering with World Vision provides tangible ways to honor God and put faith into action. By working, we can make a lasting difference in the lives of children and families who are struggling to overcome poverty. To find out more about how you can help, visit www.worldvision.org.

About World Vision ResourcesENDING GLOBAL POVERTY and injustice begins with education: understanding the magnitude and causes of poverty, its impact on human dignity, and our connection to those in need around the world.

World Vision Resources is the publishing ministry of World Vision. World Vision Resources educates Christians about global poverty, inspires them to respond, and equips them with innovative resources to make a difference in the world.

For more information about our resources, contact:

World Vision ResourcesMail Stop 321P.O. Box 9716

Federal Way, WA 98063-9716Fax: 253-815-3340

[email protected]

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Praying About Justice