Psalm 79 from Nan Merrill’s Psalms for Praying.

O Merciful Presence, the ignorant seem

unrestrained in the world:

they defile the Sacred Altar, your

dwelling place within;

they leave those weaker than themselves

in ruins.

Chaos and destruction follow them, as

they oppress the poor through

deception and greed, and

kill the faith-filled who resist.

Yes, they have poured out their blood

like water throughout the world;

many have disappeared without a trace.

How long will the unjust bring anguish

to the loving, to those

who seek justice and peace?

How long, O Indwelling Presence?

Will your patient last forever?

When will you awaken our long

dormant spirits?

Pour out your Love on every nation,

open the hearts of all people;

We await a new birth of consciousness,

we call upon your Name!

For the ignorant and unloving are laying

waste to the planet.

Forgive us for the misuse and abuse

of your Creation;

humble us with your steadfast Love,

before the world becomes a barren

waste.

Help us, O Compassionate One, to renew

the face of the earth;

deliver us, and forgive our sins,

that we might know the joy of

Co-creation!

Let other nations not cry out,

“Where is their faith?”

Let all who have spilled the blood

of the innocent

repent and make reparation before

the eyes of the world!

Let the cries of the victims of injustice

come before You;

According to your great Power,

break the bonds of oppression!

Let all that has been garnered through

greed

be returned in full measure with

open hands.

Then we your people, those who would

companion with You,

will give thanks to You forever;

from generation to generation we will

abandon ourselves into you hands

with grace-filled, open hearts.