Lord, because you are full of love and justice, I make this vow:

I will be blameless.

I will expel evil from my life.

I will rescue my neighbor from injustice.

I will remedy whatever is wrong in my home, my city, and my land.

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Lord, no one can deny it.

You are in charge.

Your might and majesty are like the raging storm.

Before you cold mountains melt like hot wax.

Before you other “deities” tremble with dread.

And not only does your thunder roll.

So does your justice and mercy.

You are an awesome God.

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There is none like you Lord!

Such splendor and strength!

May all the earth sing to you:

the families of the nations,

the fish of the sea,

the fields brimming with crops,

and the forests filled with creatures.

May your whole creation become a chorus whose song is you.

May my voice join creation’s chorus in praising you today.

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I see this every day, Lord.

The widow, the immigrant, and the orphan.

How they fall victim to vile people!

The evildoers seek to exterminate them.

The arrogant assume you do not see and do not care.

But they are as senseless as they are selfish.

Does the Lord who crafted the human eye not also see all human activity?

I know you see what I see.

May your vision Lord lead you to right all that is wrong.

May no injustice go unnoticed by you today.

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God, every time the powerful meet together, you take a seat at their table.

Though unseen, you see.

Though unaddressed, you address.

And you say to them, ”Strengthen the weak.  Stand up for the orphans.  Rescue the needy.  Pursue the wicked.”

But the powerful ignore your words.  They fail to consider your call.

Therefore, God, take charge.  Take over.

Do what they will not.

Strengthen the weak.  Stand up for the orphans.  Rescue the needy.  Pursue the wicked.

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O God, we are your vine.

You removed us from dusty and hard dirt.

You replanted us into soft and moist soil.

Like the sun, your face warmed us.

Like the clouds, your grace watered us.

But evil people now trample on us.

Selfish people now stomp on us.

Save us, O God.

Drive away those who treat us like trash.

Make us once more green, strong, and fruitful.

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The land lies devastated, Lord.

The bodies lie unburied, food for birds and beasts.

How long, O Lord, must we endure this?

Bring an end to our pain and to the powers that caused it.

Let your compassion come speedily.

Be the Shepherd we so desperately need.

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O Lord, so many in power misuse their power.

They leverage authority to benefit themselves.

They only look out for number one.

But not you, Lord.

You use your authority to benefit others.

You look out for every one.

So, make the powerful like a lion with no teeth.

Make them like a slug with no shade.

Power them down.

And power yourself up.

Do this, and the world will know that there is a God.

The world will know that God cares.

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When we stop seeking you, God, we start serving ourselves.

I’ve seen it again and again. 

Person after person marginalizes you.  And before long, they marginalize those around them.

We simply do not love neighbor when we do not first love you.

When we write you out of our Story everyone suffers.

Especially you.

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Lord, I’ve learned that you love to spend time with lovers. 

You enjoy the company of those who treat people right–those who

tell the truth,

refuse to gossip,

act neighborly,

keep their word,

serve the poor,

and stand up for others. 

Those are the kind of people you strengthen and encourage.

Those are the kind of people whose company you keep.

Help me, Lord, to be a person you enjoy being with.

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