The reconciliation of Jacob and Esau, Rubens 1620’s, via Wikimedia Commons
Lord, in penitence
I offer you my own mixed up anger
that it, with theirs, may be taken up
into your redemptive will
in which the clash between anger and fear
oppressed and oppressor
can give way
to the incomprehensible action of love
bringing about the reconciliation and healing
the embrace of the other
the alien
the enemy
creating the festival of shalom
in which the wolf shall lie down with the lamb
and the whole of life on earth shall rejoice
in the splendor of your glory.
prayer from South Africa
_______________
Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic,
love one another, be compassionate and humble.
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult.
On the contrary, repay evil with blessing,
because to this you were called
so that you may inherit a blessing.
prayer & verse 
