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A Prayer of Faith and Hope in a Time of Fear 

By January 17, 2025No Comments

—Based on Martin Luther King, Jr.’s reflections on Amos 5:24 and Micah 6:8

In times of fear amid rumors of war, 

We pray that one day 

Justice will roll down like water, 

And righteousness like a mighty stream. 

We pray that all our elected officials will 

Do justice and love mercy 

And walk humbly with their God. 

We pray that one day war will come to an end, 

That men will beat their swords into plowshares 

And their spears into pruning hooks, 

That nations will no longer rise up against nations, 

Neither will they study war any more. 

We pray that one day the lamb and the lion will lie down together And everyone will sit under their own vine and fig tree 

And none shall be afraid. 

We pray that one day every valley shall be exalted 

And every mountain and hill will be made low, 

The rough places will be made smooth 

And the crooked places straight, 

And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, 

And all flesh shall see it together. 

We pray that with this faith 

We will be able to adjourn the councils of despair 

And bring new light into the dark chambers of pessimism. 

We pray that with this faith 

We will be able to speed up the day 

When there will be peace on earth and good will toward all. 

We pray for that glorious day, 

When the morning stars will sing together, 

And the children of God will shout for joy. Amen. 

—Based on Martin Luther King, Jr.’s reflections on Amos 5:24 and Micah 6:8 Copyright © 2025, Education for Justice, a project of the Ignatian Solidarity Network. Used with permission.

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