O God, who has ordained that all men should live

        and work together as brethren,

    remove, we humbly beg you, the spirit of strife

        and commitment to bitterness,

             from those who are now quarreling, 

    so that seeking only what is just and equal

they may go forward in brotherly unity and accord.

 

Lead us out of the night of this conflict and into the day of justice.

 

Give us grace to be instruments

    of the kingdom of love and justice in human affairs,

    and patience in dealing with all the sins and selfishness of men,

        and humility in recognizing our own,

    that we may judge wisely between brothers,

    between nations and peoples,

    and by composing and reducing their differences, 

build ourselves up into a true community of peoples and nations.

 

Reinhold Niebuhr, 1892-1971, American theologian and professor

The HarperCollins Book of Prayers  freely modified

 

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The Lord reigns forever;
    he has established his throne for judgment.
He rules the world in righteousness
    and judges the peoples with equity.
The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed,
    a stronghold in times of trouble.
Those who know your name trust in you,
    for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.