Help me, O Lord, to be more loving.
Help me, O Lord, not to be afraid to love
the outcast,
the leper,
the unmarried pregnant woman,
the traitor to the State,
the man out of prison.
Help me by my love to restore the faith of
the disillusioned,
the disappointed,
the early bereaved.
Help me by my love to be the witness of your love.
And may I this coming day be able to do some work of peace for you.
Alan Paton, 1903-1988, South African author and anti-apartheid activist
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“Help us,” they cry.
“Defend us against our enemies.
Protect us from their relentless attack.
Do not betray us now that we have escaped.
Let our refugees stay among you.
Hide them from our enemies until the terror is past.”
When oppression and destruction have ended
and enemy raiders have disappeared,
then God will establish one of David’s descendants as king.
He will rule with mercy and truth.
He will always do what is just
and be eager to do what is right.
prayer & verse 
