A Prayer for Wisdom and Civility in our Public Discourse

Praying for Peace and Justice on August 11, 2024

All around us are reminders of a world divided on so many issues and hatred of the “other” used as a wedge.

Social media is full of false debates and angry words.

Holy One, help us remember that our words matter.

Guide our words towards civility and wisdom in discourse and discussion.

Teach us to model love for our neighbors in all conversations, whether public or private.

You have called us to be salt and light to our nation and to the world.

(Adapted from A Prayer for Civility in a Divisive World – United Methodist Church –https://www.umc.org/en/content/a-prayer-for-civility-in-a-divisive-world)

Background

The New Colossus by Emma Lazarus (in the public domain)

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
“Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she
With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”