Dear Lord, we know that you have given us the freedom to choose,
We can choose whether to treat others with kindness and respect or to scorn, bully and abuse them.
Help us to choose rightly.
Help us to recognize the divine image in each one of us, however different we may be as individuals.
Help us to resist the pressures of others who want us to join them in making someone a victim of their cruelty.
Help us to know that in hurting others we are harming our better selves and hurting you. Amen.