Prayers for justice

The Bible repeatedly speaks about God's compassion for the poor and marginalised: the Psalmist says, "Lord, I know that you defend the homeless, and see that the poor are given justice." (Psalm 140:12).

In our prayers for justice, we ask God to give us strength and wisdom to act for change, and we ask him to bless, comfort and give hope to people who feel powerless and invisible. We invite you to join with us in praying for a fairer, more just society, so that "justice and fairness flow like a river that never runs dry." (Amos 5:24).



Dear Lord,
Help us to follow your example,
by looking out for those who each day feel that they are marginalised,
who cannot find hope,
who believe that they have little to offer,
who are overcome by the challenges of poverty.
Help us to widen our horizons,
to make space for the stranger,
to watch out for those who feel invisible,
to give time to the outsider,
to talk to the person facing silence,
to restore justice and value.

Give us the courage to undertake this, the determination to join with others in seeing grace in every human face,
and the faith to embrace the opportunity in your name. Amen.



Dear Lord,
Give us strength and determination to create more space in our lives for you.
By your Holy Spirit, open our ears and touch our hearts to understand more of your justice and mercy, not only for ourselves, but also for those who suffer injustice in this world.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.



Thank you God for Jesus, who came to seek and save the lost:
to set the captives free; to feed the hungry;
to touch the sick with healing; to love the unloved;
to speak out at injustice; to give life where there was death.

Help us, Lord, to be like your son Jesus: to see as he sees; and act on his word.
We ask for your help in these things. Amen.



Heavenly Father,
Help us not to overlook the hidden ones:
those who are marginalized in our society; those who we often choose to forget or ignore.
Lord, let us not be indifferent to their cries of brokenness. Help us to listen to their words and anxieties, and not judge them harshly.
Soften our hearts to be tender to those in need.
We pray for your restoration in their lives; show your grace to them as you have to us.
In our Lord's name, Amen.



Almighty God, You who are faithful, true and righteous in all your ways;
Teach us to choose what is right, and stand against that which is evil.
Teach us to love justice and mercy, and stand against oppression and exploitation.
Show us where we are indifferent to injustice.
Empower us with your spirit, so we may have courage and determinations to do your will.
We trust you because you are Lord, and your love endures forever. Amen.



O God,
You who came riding humbly on a donkey, and transformed our understanding of true kingship;
Give us wisdom and sensitivity that we may be a blessing in the presence of pain.
Teach us to walk humbly and to see others as you see them.
Forgive us all for the ways in which we distort your image in others by breaking the bonds of peace.
We ask these things in your name, Amen. 



Hallelujah! You, Lord, have risen!
We celebrate and praise the God of life, who wipes away the sins of the world.
We celebrate and praise the God of life, who gives us hope for the future.

On this resurrection day, Lord, we pray for justice and mercy in our land.
On this resurrection day, Lord, we pray for help to be generous in our actions and with our material possessions.

Lord, we pray that you keep our hearts and minds attentive to the needs of those who are poor.
Lord, we pray: let your kingdom come, and your will be done in our land. Amen.