God,
Only you
are over all kingdoms and their leaders.
Only you
know every heart and motive.
Only you
can weave your will
using people and processes we protest.
We pray that you will again
use current complexities and divisions
in ways that surprise and humble us.
To be known as a land of plenty
demonstrates how you have blessed us.
To be known as a divided land
demonstrates how much we misuse your gifts.
In the same way that Isaiah, Jeremiah,
Hosea and other prophets
raised their voices against the unfaithfulness
of your set-apart people,
may we use our voices
to bring the Family of God together.
May we act in every Christ-like way
to point people to our God of unfailing love
so that no one ever accuses you
of being who you are not.
May we pray boldly for every elected leader
out of a radical belief that your over-all sovereignty
is not challenged by those
whose lifestyles and values scare or anger us.
Bring us to our knees for the ways
we have played into the rhetoric and rebellion
you would not have us participate in.
Challenge us again to be
your people,
called out to be
your redemptive voice,
your healing hands,
your reconcilers
your servants
who refuse to act by our own preferences.
Oh God,
hear our prayer.
Forgive us
so that we can forgive those who trespass against us
and especially you!
