SUNDAY MORNING PRAYER

VICTIMS....and  PERPETRATORS

Mighty God, giver of Peace, slogan for war,
    We watch wile cities burn and
                           children cry and
                           woman weep
We listen while tanks roll and
                           missiles zizzle, and
                           mobs assemble.
We smell while
                     flesh burns and
                     old tires smoke and
                     oil wells flame
                            out of control.

We dare say,
we dare imagine,
we dare confess, that yours is the Kingdom and the Power and the
     Glory.
                              We come to you as victims of terror and
                                    mass death.
                              We come as perpetrators of death and massacre.
                              We come as citizens and patriots and taxpayers
                                       and parents and children.
                              We come bewildered, angry, sorry.

You, you beyond the smell and the din and the smoke.
You, beyond our hopes and our hates.
You, our beginning before time
    our end beyond time.
Be present in ways we cannot imagine.
Be present---save us from our power,
                     save us from our violence,
                     save us from our fear and hatred,
                     save us as only you can do.
                     Save us as your have before saved us...
 in love and power
in compassion and justice
in miracle and in waiting.
                 Save us because we are your people
                     and because this is your world.