A Prayer for Mandiba

Merciful God, Author of salvation, Giver of every gracious gift,
we give thanks for the life and witness of your servant, Nelson Mandela.
His quest for freedom
was a witness to your saving power in our world–
a power that can break the shackles of sin and oppression and hatred.
And his commitment to justice
gave us a glimpse of what your kingdom should look like —
a place where swords of war
can actually be traded for the plowshares of peace;
a place where bitter enemies can, by your grace, become friends.

Receive your servant, Mandiba,
and grant him the eternal rest of your saints.
May he rest in your mercy and rise in your glory.
And may we, your Church,
follow his witness of peace and justice marked by reconciliation.
For when we do,
we know we are also following the ways of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord,
who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns now and forevermore.
Amen.

—Ben Gosden

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