A prayer against the death penalty

[Squatch]

God of Compassion,
You let your rain fall on the just and the unjust.
Expand and deepen our hearts
so that we may love as You love,
even those among us
who have caused the greatest pain by taking life.

For there is in our land a great cry for vengeance
as we fill up death rows and kill the killers
in the name of justice, in the name of peace.

Jesus, our brother,
you suffered execution at the hands of the state
but you did not let hatred overcome you.
Help us to reach out to victims of violence
so that our enduing love may help them heal.

Holy Spirit of God,
You strengthen us in the struggle for justice.
Help us to work tirelessly
for the abolition of state-sanctioned death
and to renew our society in its very heart
so that violence will be no more. Amen.

--Sister Helen Prejean

In May 2005, Sister Helen received the Peace Prize of the City of Ypres. Awarded every three years by the Belgian city of Ypres, the Peace Prize recognizes those who have made important contributions to peace on earth.

Significantly, the recipient of the award is decided by the youth of Ypres and other areas of Flanders. The short list of finalists is chosen by an international committee of specialists, and then submitted to secondary school students along with supporting materials. After studying each of the nominations, the students vote. In this way, the award not only recognizes the contributions of the nominees, but also helps students learn about the work of those involved in seeking a more peaceful and just society.