Prayer for Mercy and Kindness

El Shaddai, have mercy upon your people,
heirs in Christ of your eternal kingdom.

Lord, have mercy.

Have mercy on those who act unkindly in freer lands,
and on those of our sisters and brothers in lands with less liberty
whose bodies and lives may be threatened because some of us bring offense.

Christ, have mercy.

Judge of all, come to our aid.
Deliver us from every temptation to act with anything less
than kindness toward all we name enemies,
speaking truth in love.

Teach us afresh the way of true compassion
that heaps burning coals through deeds of lovingkindness,
for it is your goodness, your mercy,
that leads us to repent.

Lord, have mercy. Amen.