God, have you abandoned us, your people?
For generations we have worshipped you.
Make your presence known to us.
Save us from the desecration of your church.
For there are too many who preach hate in your name,
who use your word to justify their violence.
They claim to be inspired by your love
but they perpetuate so many injustices.
They claim to care for your people but…
…they encourage laws that allow people to go hungry…
…they hoard riches at the expense of others…
…they exclude people who don’t fit their “perfect” mold…
…they excommunicate people for having the “wrong kind” of loving relationship…
…they attack people for expressing their gender identity…
…they create and propagate systems of racial injustice…
…so much hurt is caused in the world by people who claim to follow you.
How much longer will you allow this hatred to infiltrate your church?
Spreading like a disease,
Cutting people off from your love.
Is this the face of the Christian church now?
Can you not speak out against these injustices?
You have been with us since the dawn of time;
Creating a world for us to live in
with lush forests, vast oceans, rolling plains,
all teeming with energy and life.
You set your people free,
offering them a new home,
a new life.
Remember the covenant you made to you people,
and free us from this tyranny
that has infected your church.
Help us rebuild ourselves as a community of care,
so that we can create a space where all people may know you
without fear of discrimination or hate!
For the original Psalm visit https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+74&version=NRSV