Pray on my behalf, O Beloved, for those who fight against me;
Forgive on my behalf those who abuse me!
Pour forth your strength into my heart that I might stand strong!
Encircle with healing love those who persecute me through fear!
And say to my soul, "I am with you always!"

Melt the hearts of stone in those who seek to kill my body, my spirit.
Turn them around and let them delight in your way.
Let their ignorance become as chaff before the wind,
send angels to lead them home to You.
Let their path become filled with light
that they may see the way of truth!

For without cause they have tried to ensnare me;
without cause they threaten my life.
Surprise them, O Love, with joy!
For ignorance cannot live where your love abides;
Let them rise up with a new conscience
and regret their past acts against others.

Then, O Love, my soul shall rejoice, exulting in your goodness.
My whole being shall say,
"Who, O Beloved, is like you,
you who give strength to the weak, praying on their behalf,
when fear threatens to overwhelm them,
holding them back from retaliation through your saving love?"

False witnesses rise up, asking me questions I cannot answer.
They return my kindness with cruelty; my soul weeps.
Yet I, when they were afflicted
I prayed and fasted and sent them help.
I prayed in my simple way
As though grieving for my family or for a friend;
I acted as one who grieves for a dying mother,
bowed down and in mourning.

Yet when I stumbled and needed assistance,
they gathered about me with glee,
they turned against me;
Even strangers whom I did not know,
mocked me day and night;
They seemed to gather strength in denouncing me,
and became all the more violent.

How long, O Beloved, must I endure this?
Rescue me from the oppressors, my life from the lions!
I long to give thanks in the great assembly,
to praise You wherever people gather.

Fill those who rejoice over my plight with compassion,
Let peace come to those who hate me without cause.
For many desire conflict and war,
and turn against those who are quiet in the land,
they are driven by greed.
By speaking against me saying,
"Aha, you are to blame."
they think to hide their own deceit.

You have seen it all, O Love, be silent no longer!
Beloved, stay close beside me!
Hear me and rise up on my behalf,
let justice and peace reign!
Yes, O compassionate one,
Let truth and love overcome ignorance,
according to your goodness,
that all might rejoice and give thanks!

Foolish are they to think that persecution
will bring them joy;
nor will destruction bring them peace.

Let those who rejoice in another's misfortune,
in their shame become contrite;
Let them be humbled and turn their hearts to you, O Beloved,
all those who know not love!
may all who offer their lives to peace
shout for joy and be glad, and always pray,
"Great are you, O Love,
Who dwell in all open hearts!"
Then shall I sing of your saving justice
and praise You all day long!

*Nan C. Merrill, Psalms for Praying: An Invitation to Wholeness, pp. 62-65,
The Continuum International Publishing Group Inc., New York, NY, 1996.

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