Against Church Burnings

Lord, have mercy
on my brothers and sisters
at Mount Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church
and others whose places of worship have been set afire.
Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy
on those who have watched their dreams and memories
go up in smoke
because of others' hatred and bigotry.
Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy on those who fight the fires
and clean up the sites.
Protect and preserve them
as they work.
Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy
on any who have been injured or sickened or frightened
by the fires.
Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.
Bring to justice those who have set the fires.
Restore and even multiply the vitality of the affected congregations.
And deliver us from evil.
Lord, have mercy.