Jonah 3:8-98
Human beings...shall mourn...and they shall cry mightily to God. All shall turn from their evil ways and from the violence that is in their hands. Who knows? God may relent and change his mind; he may turn from his fierce anger, so that we do not perish.
Luke 22:50-5150
Then one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus said, ‘No more of this!’ And he touched his ear and healed him.
How the violent ways of our nations must grieve You! Statistics for domestic violence, among other kinds of abuse, shock us. When young people become killers we are at a loss to understand why. We call upon you to turn us from our our hatred, fear and anger. Move upon our hearts and minds to break the cycle of violence with your love and forgiveness and healing. It is easy for us to understand the defensive rage expressed in the Garden of Gethsemane as you were approaching your death, Lord Jesus Christ. We too have brandished religious weapons that have only resulted in people becoming deaf to your voice. We pray together for those wounded and offended by people who claim to follow you. Heal the harm that we ourselves may have done, and restore hope and faith by your mercy--the same mercy you showed on that night in the garden. Call us again to join you in your suffering and to follow you in your mercy. Amen
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