Prayer: "A Prayer," Anonymous

O Lord, 

remember not only the men and women of good will, 

but those of ill will. 

But do not remember all the suffering they have inflicted upon us; 

remember the fruits we have brought thanks to this suffering – 

 our comradeship, our loyalty, our humility, our courage, our generosity, the greatness of heart which has grown out of all of this; 

and when they come to judgment, 

let the fruits which we have borne be their forgiveness. Amen. 

This prayer was found by the side of a dead child at a concentration camp at the end of World War II. It is cited in Michael Leach, et al., The Way of Forgiveness: Readings for A Peaceful Life, page 221.