Lord, Have Mercy: Praying for Justice With Conviction and Humility (Book)
Claire E. Wolfteich, Author.  San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass, 2006.

Lord, Have Mercy explores how communities are using prayer as they attempt to respond faithfully to complex social issues—whether war in distant lands, strikes by laborers, stem cell research, or any of a number of other issues—especially when they are divided on the issue confronting them.

Claire Wolfteich does not provide easy answers or blueprints for prayerful discernment concerning the social justice issues she explores. Instead, she presents six carefully researched case studies of Christian communities who prayerfully considered the issue before them; in doing so, she provokes thought about the place and power of prayer in social justice decision-making processes. Among the stories she examines are those of prayerful antiapartheid leaders in South Africa, farm worker advocate Cesar Chavez and his followers, participants in pro-life rallies outside abortion clinics, and a Miami congregation divided over the Free Trade Agreement of the Americas.

Wolfteich’s book is an avenue to consideration and discussion, posing such questions as: What is an appropriate public faith witness on the issue we are confronted with? How do we navigate the diverse opinions within our community? How would we grapple with the same dilemmas described in the stories in this volume? How can we pray about our own uncertainties about a social justice issue?

This book would be of interest to individuals and faith communities seeking to better integrate their faith and prayer lives with social justice activities. It would also be of value to those preparing for congregational leadership.

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See also these resources:

Embracing the World: Praying for Justice and Peace (Book)
Jane E. Vennard, Author.  San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass, 2002.
Describing a model of prayer for justice and peace, Jane Vennard draws us into deeper relationship with God and the world. While we often think of "prayer" and "action" as opposites, Vennard presents them as complementary.