With thanks to a colleague in Ministry, Rev. Kevin Lee, who posted this prayer on Facebook. I believe that this ancient prayer still speaks to us powerfully today.
A Prayer of Adoration and Confession, adopted from Dionysius of Alexandria, 264 AD.
Holy God, giver of peace and author of truth,
Good beyond all that is good,
Fair beyond all that is fair,
In you is calmness, peace, and concord.We confess that we are divided and at odds with on another,
That a bad spirit has risen among us and set us against your Holy Spirit of peace and love.
Take from us the mistrust, party spirit, contention, and all evil that now divides us.Work in us a desire for reconciliation,
So that, putting aside personal grievances,
We may go about your business with a single mind,
Devoted to our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.Heal the dissensions that divide us from one another and bring us back to the unity of love, bearing some likeness to your divine nature.
Through the embrace of love and the bonds of godly affection, make us one in Spirit by your peace which makes all things peaceful.
We ask this through the grace, mercy, and tenderness of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.