Prayer of Petition: For the Grace of Enemy-Love

Gracious Father in heaven,
Who causes Your sun to rise on the just and the unjust,
And whose love knows no boundaries of tribe or nation,
We beseech You to enlarge our hearts.

Where we are tempted to condemn, teach us to listen.
Where we are tempted to retaliate, teach us to forgive.
Where fear would turn strangers into enemies,
Grant us eyes to behold those whom You love.

By the Spirit of Christ,
Who prayed for His persecutors and welcomed the outcast,
Lead us in the difficult path of enemy-love.
Strengthen us to resist evil without hatred,
To pursue justice without vengeance,
And to overcome evil with good.

Hear our prayer, O God,
And conform us to the likeness of Your Son.