One: O God of all people, we come humbly before you
All: In you we place our hope
One: We ask for courage to face the past
All: Our hope is in you
One: For the actions and attitudes of restitution
All: Our hope is in you
One: With words that do not result in action
All: We are no longer satisfied
One: For excuses and reluctant leadership
All: They are not enough
One: With government programmes alone
All: They are not enough
One: For accusations, fear and blame
All: We repent Lord
One: For our forgetfulness and short memory
All: Forgive us Lord
One: For demanding that those who have been hurt bear so much
All: Forgive us Lord
One: For those us who have grown up after Apartheid
All: We offer you our privilege
One: For those of us who were complicit with Apartheid
All: We have considered our ways
One: For those of us who were dishonoured by Apartheid
All: We open our hearts to true sorry-ness
One: Grant us, Lord God, a vision of South Africa
All: As your love would have it
One: A South Africa where the weak are protected
All: And none go hungry or poor
One: A South Africa where the riches of creation are shared
All: And everyone can enjoy them
One: A South Africa where different races and cultures
All: Live in harmony and mutual respect
One: A South Africa where peace is built with justice
All: And justice is guided by love
One: Give us the inspiration and courage to build it
All: Through Jesus Christ our Lord
AMEN
with acknowledgment to Alan Paton