God of strength and mercy, help me to love the unloved, and the unlovable. Help me to speak truth and justice in assertiveness and love to those who are so filled with misunderstanding and hate that they are blind to their actions which are not your ways. Help me to dig deep with faith and compassion when everything I see affecting our communities and world seem insurmountable. Help me to grow in ways of peace while carrying the tension of righteous anger. Teach me how to love, O God, as you love. Amen.

-Rev. Matt Richards, Mitchell, SD