If I am to speak truth to power, 

whose truth do I speak?  

Whose justice do I seek 

in the space between my right-ness  

and that of the ‘other’?

If I say ‘yes’ to justice, 

does that make it all mine?  

What of the grey between the emphatics?

‘Let me declare boldly, 

sure-footedly  

that my yes is  

a “yes-yes”, and my 

no is “no”.’ Says Jesus.

‘Let me draw clarity 

in the sand that 

defines and refines 

knowledge, truth and tales 

in such a way 

that all are sure.

‘Let me dwell deep 

in the place within 

where, regardless of the outward form 

you know beyond doubt’s shadow, 

that truth and justice, 

peace and righteousness lie.

 ‘And let me,  

in my boldness  

turn widdershins  

the hypocrisy of 

those who confuse integrity with fake-ness, 

who obscure truth with falsehood  

and call it news.

‘Let me boldly be good news.’

Prayer

God of justice, 

grant me the wisdom to see right from wrong. 

Let my heart be guided by honesty and my lips speak truth. 

In times of doubt, cloak me in courage the colour of trust. 

Birth in me the passion for unity and peace 

so that I may be a good news bearer for all. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Culled from the Programme for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2019