A Prayer for Justice

“God grant that violence be overcome by the power of love,
that opposition give way to reconciliation
and that the desire to oppress be transformed
into the desire for forgiveness, justice and peace…

May peace be in our hearts
so that they are open to the action of God’s grace…

May all members of the family community,
especially children, the elderly, the weakest,
feel the warmth of this feast,
and may it extend subsequently to all the days in the year.

Amen.”

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• Attributed to Pope Benedict XVI and found at: https://socialjusticeresourcecenter.org/prayers/justice/

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A Blessing on Social Interactions

“O God,
you visit the humble
and comfort us with the love of our friends.
Graciously bless our fellowship,
that through those in whom you dwell,
we may feel that you fave come to visit us;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

O God,
you show us signs of your presence.
Pour on us the Spirit of love,
that with the presence of our friends and coworkers
we may be blessed by your bountiful grace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

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• Found in The New Ancient Collects: Based on Ancient Collects and Other Prayers Selected for Devotional Use from Various Rituals by William Bright, Completely Revised and Refreshed by Paul C. Stratman (2017).

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A Responsive Reading About The Life of Love

“What is the great and first commandment?
Love the Lord your God
with all your heart and with all your soul
and with all your mind.

What is the second commandment like it?
Love your neighbor as yourself.

What does this mean?
Love is the fulfilling of the law.

To what does this call us?
To a life of faith working through love.
(Based on Matthew 22:37040)

Hear the teaching of Christ:

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another just as I have loved you.”

(from John 13:34, SRSV)

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• Found in The Worship Sourcebook published by the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, 2004)

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