A Prayer about the Darkness of Hatred

But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them. 1 John 2:11

Loving Savior,

What a world we live in. 

The news is full of stories of hate crimes, 

but the bigger story is the hatred of people 

for other people. 

If we say we belong to you, 

we must confess any hate our hearts harbor, 

for “Whoever says he is in the light 

and hates his brother or sister is still in darkness” (1 John 2:9). 

You are the true light, the light of the world, 

who came into this world because God so loved us 

that he sent his Son, 

to die on a cross in what could have been called 

a “hate crime.” 

Oh, Lord, “our sins are forgiven for [your] name’s sake” (1 John 1:12). 

Because that is true, you say that we “have overcome the evil one,” (1 John 2:13), 

the one who stirs up dissension and bitterness and hate. 

And one day, we will live forever in eternal glory 

with you in the new heavens and new earth. 

In anticipation of the day 

every nation will walk in the light of the glory of God, 

may we live in the light of your love (Rev. 21:24). 

In your brightly shining name we pray. Amen.

Read 1 John 2:7-14.