widow's prayer

God of justice

we know you are not

an unjust judge

So grant justice to the oppressed

who cry out to you

night and day

Do not delay in helping

our kin, for when

the kindom comes

Shall you find us

here on earth

with faith

For we know

you are not

the unjust judge

But the persistent widow

who will not let

the oppressor sleep at night

Your voice cries out

through your earthly body

to those who set their places up high

You are the widow 

that never stops

demanding justice

From that unjust judge

who fears not God

nor respects people

You are the Holy Spirit

who prays for us

as we know not how to pray

Only a widow's prayer

to grant justice now

for the orphan, migrant, widow

For you are

one of us

and another world is coming.

photo: Claudia Jones in London leading a demonstration against the 1962 Immigration Act

prayer based on Luke 18