When a Trial Draws
Public Attention

Righteous God,justice has stumbled in the public squareand drawn the people’s eyes.As this trial captures our attention, keep it fromcapturing our hearts.Protect us from unhealthy obsessionwith outcomes and evidence.When we are tempted to become amateur sleuthsentertained by strangers’ tragedy,move us to right grief and prayer,and teach us what faithfulness looks like.

Great Judge,give the arbiters of this case eyes to see the evidenceclearly and impartially,ears to tell sincere testimonyfrom craftily worded tricks,and empathetic hearts bent toward finding the truth.Give lawyers the ability to articulate their case,humility in handling witnesses,and integrity in presenting facts.Grant jurors unbiased perspective and discernmentto deliver a swift and just verdict.Wisen the judge to exact a fair punishmentor a compassionate pardon,and to order their courtroom with a firm,steady hand.

Just Lord,bend near to the brokenheartedcaught up in the web of media coverage,public scrutiny, and speculation.When they feel that justice is far from them,hoping for light but walking in gloom,take this crushing weight off their shoulders.Enter in with victims as the fourth man in the fire.Catch each of their sorrowful tears in your bottleand show them that this sad chapter is not the endof the story you are writing.May they not put their trust in the outcome of this trialbut in you, the only source of true closure.

Merciful God,break the bonds of those ensnared by sin and pain,who have cut against the fabric of your created orderand earthly law.No one is more displeased by the fractures this sin has wroughtthan you.Deliver a just sentence,rehabilitate the guilty to love what is good,and penetrate hardened hearts with your gracious truth,that they might abandon the wide pathand follow the narrow.

Oh Lord, bring about true justice as only you can!We long for the day when you’ll wear righteousness as armorand vengeance for clothing,repaying wrath to your enemies—not from a place of blind rage,but in righteous anger for the black marksin has left on lives and land.Hasten the day when escaped criminals face justice,right verdicts are delivered,every tear is wiped away,and there is no longer any brokenness to mourn.We look forward to that day when our crimeswill be tried in your heavenly courts—not because we are innocentbut because you sent your only Sonto serve our sentence in full.We rejoice in You, Our Savior!

Amen