Prayer for Those Committing Sexual Offences

This prayer is for all who are making a big mistake today,
especially those who are committing a sexual assault
or abusing someone who trusts them.
God of truth, you know their actions, you hear their words.
Lies, manipulations, plotting.
Threatening, hunting, cornering.
Overpowering, hurting, dominating.
All of these actions devastate the victim.
They also lead the one who does them towards death:
each act obliterating tenderness,
squelching compassion, extinguishing the ability to love.
God of hope, you offer alternatives and new directions
even for those who commit hateful crimes.
Awaken, deep in their hearts, a memory
of kindness done to them, or mercy shown.
Let this glimmer of memory give them pause.
Turn them around, help them walk away.
The world is full of choices, let them see
that they can choose not to be that person
who wrecks and destroys.
There is a better way.
Help them find it.
And for those who live with memories 
of the horrible deeds they’ve done, God of mercy,
show a way to true repentance.
Your grace will give them the courage
to confess their crime to authorities,
to offer apologies and restitution,
to begin the long road of accountability.
We have this one singular and beautiful life;
let it be honest, let it be good