Lord, we have again picked up a weapon and fired it.
We repent from our own political violence.
We have again decided to kill our fellow citizens; our partisan T-shirts are covered in blood.
We repent from our own political violence.
Lord, we weep for the broken bodies, the broken minds — for all those broken by our bullets.
We repent from our own political violence.
Shed light, O Lord, to expose any and all plans of violence; drive such wicked works from our body politic.
We repent from our own political violence.
May political opponents humble themselves, Lord. May they serve their country with truth and grace, not insults or lies.
Teach us again to reason together, Lord, though our sins be as scarlet.
We repent from our own political violence.
Disarm us, O Lord — our minds, lips, hearts, and hands — that we may more perfectly love you.
We repent from our own political violence.
Lord, let us be the repairers of the breach in our political life; let us be messengers of hope.
We repent from our own political violence.
Do not turn your face from us, Lord, but teach us your ways of peace. Amen.
[Editor’s note: This prayer was written after former President Donald Trump was shot speaking at a rally in Butler County, Penn., in which two people were killed and two were seriously injured.]
Rose Marie Berger, author of Bending the Arch: Poems, is a senior editor of Sojourners magazine.
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