January 26th

“Restore us again, O God of our salvation,
    and put away your indignation toward us.” Psalm 85:4

bring back that quiet courage
which will help us begin
again that longing for justice.
turn us away
from the angry choruses,
the fear news networks,
the well-rehearsed outrage
which refuses to speak
the names of the dead.
replace our priorities
when truth is set aside
for pithy sound bites
when the compassionate
are accused of naivete
and cruelty is valued for its efficiency.
God of second chances
(at the very least)
turn us away from
unfollowing another’s suffering,
mistaking shouts for success,
forgetting the faces of neighbors.
in hands open to welcome,
at tables where chairs are added,
in all-too-valuable moments
being devoted to listening,
may we discover your saving grace.
take us back, O God—
not to those yesterdays filled
with hate, violence, and pain
but to those days when we live
as we are meant to live
before fear seduced us
away from your love.

© 2026 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman