O God, deliver our nation and our world
from those people in positions of authority
who resort to violence
to carry out their objectives.
They sweet-talk us into believing
they are acting in our interests
and brainwash us into blind,
flag-waving allegiance
until we march by their side
into battles that destroy
our unity and joy as members of
the human family.
Deliver all of us, O Lord,
from the notion that anything of value or worth
can be obtained by hostile or violent actions.
Our God is on the side of those who are afflicted.
He will deal justly with people who are violent,
and show his mercy to the victims
of their obscene actions.
Help us, O Lord,
even at the risk of our lives and well-being,
to overcome hate with love
and to be peacemakers in a world
that is so racked amnd distorted
by the atrocities of violence.
Leslie F. Brandt. Psalms Now (Concordia Publishing House, 1974, p. 211)
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