Prayer for All Who Are Abused

You chose, O loving God,
to enter this worldquietly,
humbly, and as an outcast.
Hear our prayerson behalf
of all who are abused:
For children,who suffer
at the handsof parents
whom they trust and love;
for spouses,beaten and destroyed
by the very onewho promised to love
and to cherish them forever;
for all people ignored, hated and cheated
by the very neighbor who could be
the closest one to offer your love.
Hear the cry of the oppressed.
Let the fire of your Spirit
fill their hearts with
the power of vision, and hope.
Grant to them empowerment to act,
that they may not be passive victims
of violence and hatred.
Fulfill for them the promises you have made,
that their lives may be transformed
and their oppression ended.
Turn the hearts of the oppressor unto you
that their living may be changed
by your forgiving love;
and their abusive actions
and oppressive ways brought to an end.
Amen.

- Vienna Cobb Anderson