Lament the evil and ask God to set things right

If you would like to receive Jesus, pray this with me: Lord Jesus, I admit that I have sinned and that I cannot save myself. I turn from my sin and from every dead end I have trusted. I believe you died for my sins and rose again. Please forgive me, make me yours, and lead me as my Lord. Amen.

Receive Me, Lord Jesus

Lord, when your people face fear, pressure, and violence, revive us. Give your Church courage to tell the truth, tenderness to grieve with those who suffer, and strength to refuse revenge. Make us steady witnesses of mercy and justice, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Revive Your Church for Courage

Father, comfort those who hear of death, cruelty, or unjust loss. Be near to the grieving, steady the shaken, and give rest to hearts that feel the weight of sorrow, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Comfort Those Who Grieve

Pray for people held in prison, for those trapped under cruel authority, and for those who have no voice. Ask God to protect them, expose wrongdoing, and open a way toward justice.

Protection for the Vulnerable

Begin by naming the injustice or grief this verse brings to mind. Tell God what feels unbearable, ask him for courage not to become cruel, and ask for one concrete act of mercy or justice you can take today.

Pray Honest Lament

Lord, keep me from silence when I should speak and from anger when I should be gentle. Teach me to pray for justice, to mourn what is evil, and to act with courage and mercy, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Courage Without Cruelty

καὶ{KE###KEH###And} πέμψας{PEM-psas###PEHM-psahs###having sent} ἀπεκεφάλισεν{a-pe-ke-FA-li-sen###ah-peh-keh-FAH-lee-sehn###he beheaded} ⸀τὸν{TON###TOHN###(the)} Ἰωάννην{ee-o-AN-neen###ee-oh-AHN-neen###John} ἐν{en###ehn###in} τῇ{TEE###TEE###the} φυλακῇ·{fee-la-KEE###fee-lah-KEE###prison}

Matthew 14:10 — FormalTAB

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