For Empathy During a Time of War (written by Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow)

Let us pray —

God, we know empathy will not win this war
— but it will instigate a future of peace
Empathy will not topple regimes
— but it will liberate collective imagination
Empathy will not destroy weapons
— but it will disrupt our tendency toward violence
Empathy will not solve generational hatred
— but it will open us up to generational healing
Empathy alone will not guarantee peace
— but without empathy, peace is not possible

God, during this time of war
when our government wants us to choose
destruction over discourse
nationalism over faith
and mercilessness over empathy
grant us the courage to choose Your way.

When empathy is too difficult to mine from within
— God, grant Your people grace
When empathy causes chasms of conflict
— God, grant Your people persistence
When empathy solicits reactions bound by hate
— God, grant Your people fortitude
When empathy makes clear the holy within our enemy
— God, grant Your people reassurance
When empathy becomes exhausting and overwhelming
— God, grant Your people rest

And God, embolden Your people
to live a life of unapologetic empathy
in a world that would prefer it if we didn't

For these things we pray

— AMEN