Lord, make it a bad day for tyrants.

Lord, make it a bad day for tyrants.

That was how today’s prayer my book of Morning & Evening Prayers began.

The simplicity and boldness of the request stopped me in my tracks. I allowed myself to linger there and in the next few lines.

Unseat and scatter them.

Replace them with righteous rulers. Vindicate the oppressed. Crown them with glory and honour.

Realising that this was a prayer for justice, and feeling liberated and emboldened, I found myself continuing to pray, but my own words...

Lord, for all those who exploit and abuse and trample upon others...make it a bad day.

For all who pursue corruption over and above doing what is right...make it a bad day.

For those who use the power entrusted to them to serve themselves...make it a bad day.

For those whose hearts are set on evil...make it a bad day.

For those who seek to do harm to others...make it a bad day.

For those who enslave or traffic or falsely accuse fellow image-bearers...make it a bad day.

For those who assert power in cruel ways...make it a bad day.

The written prayer continued...

I lament all the cheating in the world.

I lament all the lying in the world.

I found myself agreeing, adding my own Amen.

And then the prayer drew to a close...

But I’m going to have to confess to you that I have lied and cheated too. It’s not just others. It’s me, too. O God, forgive me. Search me and know me, but don’t stop loving me. Make me a lover of truth, a lover of simple justice.

It was a helpful reminder.

As much as we are to pray against all examples of evil that are in the world, we must never forget to search our own hearts, confess our own sin, and avail ourselves once more of the forgiveness that is ours’ in Jesus.