O Lord, hear our prayer:

Dismay. Shock. Lament. How did it come to this?

Almighty God, we confess the sins of the worst parts of our history.

We ask that your Holy Spirit guide us toward a deep repentance.

We confess that too often we have relied upon temporal promises which come and go with every news cycle.

Instead, help us to rely upon Jesus. Jesus who calls us to love. Jesus who offers grace. Jesus who offers mercy.

We remember your promises of restoration and covenant, and we call upon them now.

We pray that the Holy Spirit will bring a newfound peace to our land. A surprising peace, yes. But a deeply needed one. Peace to heal wounds. Peace to end a time more defined by outrageous rhetoric than by acts of kindness. 

We remember the warnings of Jesus about violence begetting violence:
Save us from further acts of political and racial violence.
Save us from mistrust, chaos, and injustice.

May the coming days be ruled by truth, goodness and integrity.

From sea to shining sea, from small town streets to the halls of power, help each and every one of us to walk in the manner of Jesus Christ.

We offer this prayer in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Posted on Presbyterian Outlook by Christopher Edmonston, pastor at White Memorial Presbyterian Church in Raleigh, North