The present is insecure,
And the past is full of loss
Give us the seed of hope
Help us clear the trauma
We’ll plant and care with hope,
keep us safe in your hands.
Your beautiful creations violated
Uncovered and paraded by evildoers
You saw what they went through
May the memories not haunt them
Yet kindly uproot their cities,
And blot out the perpetrators.
Make the ground moist again,
It’s been dried up by the ashes
of burning houses and churches
Women mourning their loss.
Wailing all through the hills,
Hear our plight – our prayers
Return the warm laughter
When you clean up the land
Act now according to your will
Give us shelter in the night,
Wisdom to move forward.
Disarm those who threaten us
Let no past conflicts take control,
The future of us is swaying.
Find us a new way in you
Where no force longer rules
But only love in the streets
Turn us back to you
Turn away your anger from us
Sow the seed of love
True faith, hope, and spirit
Coming only from you.
Only for your glory!
May the land open up,
Children may sing and learn
Filling the empty streets
Into bustling laughter and joy
Telling what you have done
In the present and past, for us
Till the last of our breath.
__________
It was very unfortunate that Manipur, in northeastern India, has been on the boil even after two months. The violence was described, also true in many ways that it was all, communal, ethnic cleansing fueled by greed and hatred among the inhabitants.
About the Prayer:
This is a prayer from Lamka, which is a town in the southern part of the state. Many times I am reluctant, but also very bogged down to even think about what has happened in the region. However, I came to know the barbaric act of the perpetrators or the majoritarian community I put up this prayer here so that you too can joined me in praying with me.
The news I read and has seen a twitter post were disturbing among many others. One was cutting of body parts while a young man was alive and the subsequent beheading of him. Then, this morning I have read about incidents in B. Phainom Village, Kangpokpi, Manipur, India where the women being shamed and paraded as they flee for safety. The conflict still rage on the physical and mental well-being of the people.
Kindly pray for violence affected children of God found peace and comfort in him. It is my prayer our God will clothe the unclothed or disrobed people warmly forever in his care!
