Litanies - Project Ploughshares

Scriptural Prayers and Litanies

God the Almighty longs for peace;
God confronts the desolation of war.
God cradles the broken bodies
and feels the agony of violence.
Jesus kneels with the grieving
and collects their wild tears.
The Holy Spirit broods over the bent world
counting the cost of carnage.
The Lord of hosts is with us,
the God of Jacob is our refuge
as we long for peace.
God is our refuge and strength
a very present help in times of trouble.
Come behold the works of the Lord,
see what desolations God has brought on the earth.
From Canada to Cambodia,
from Israel to Indonesia,
from Afghanistan to the Americas,
God makes wars cease to the end of the earth.
God breaks the bow, and shatters the spear,
God burns the shields with fire.
God breaks the M16 assault rifles,
and shatters the laser guided bombs,
God burns the CF18 fighter jets with fire.
God breaks the AK47s,
and shatters the cluster bombs,
God burns the military intelligence satellites with fire.
God breaks the sniper rifle,
and shatters the grenade,
God burns the military torture centres with fire.
God breaks the atomic bombs
and shatters the missile silos,
God burns the nuclear submarines with fire.

Be still and know that I am God!
I am exalted among the nations,
I am exalted in the earth.
The Lord of hosts is with us,
the God of Jacob is our refuge.

~ written by Carol Penner
Posted on Leading in Worship

My friends, how do we respond when people mistreat us?
When they injure us physically,
or bully us emotionally;
when they steal what we own,
or cheat us out of what is rightfully ours;
when they spread false rumours about us,
or turn our friends against us?
How does God call us to respond?
God calls us to bless those who persecute us;
to pray for them rather than curse them.
God calls to do what is right and honourable at all times—
to live as peace-makers,
never retaliating with evil or seeking revenge
no matter what has been done to us.
God calls us to treat our enemies with love and kindness,
and in this way, overpower evil with good.

~ written by Christine Longhurst
Posted on re:Worship

When we are really honest with ourselves, we must admit that our lives are all that really belong to us. So, it is how we use our lives that determine what kind of people we are. It is my deepest belief that only by giving do we find life.

For whosoever would save his or her life will lose it,
and whoever loses his or her life for my sake will find it. (Mark 8:35)

But God did not promise us that the world would be humane and just. God gave us the gift of life and allows us to choose the way we will use our limited time on earth.

Therefore, choose life that you and your descendants may live. (Deuteronomy 30:19)

Our struggle is not easy. Those who oppose us are rich and powerful and they have many allies in high places. We are poor. Our allies are few. But we have something the rich do not own. We have our bodies and our spirits and the just of our cause.

For the foolishness of God is wiser than human kind,
and the weakness of God is stronger than human kind. (1 Corinthians 1:25)

We can choose to use our lives for others to bring about a better and a more just world for our children. People who make that choice will know hardship and sacrifice. But if you give yourself totally to the non-violent struggle for peace and justice, you also find that people will give you their hearts and you will never go hungry and you will never be alone. In giving yourself, you will discover a whole new life full of meaning and love.

But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength.
They shall mount up with wings like eagles.
They shall run and not be weary.
They shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31)

What do we want the churches to do? We don’t ask for more cathedrals. We don’t ask for bigger churches or fine gifts. We ask for its presence with us, as God among us. We ask the churches to sacrifice with the people for social justice, and for love of brother and sister. We don’t ask for words. We ask for deeds… a multitude of simple deeds for justice, carried out by men and women whose hearts are focused on the suffering of the poor and who yearn, with us, for a better world. Together, all things are possible!

Ask and it will be given to you;
seek and you will find.
Knock, and the door will be opened to you. (Matthew 7:7)
Amen. Amen.

~ posted on the National Farm Worker Ministry website

Congregational Litanies

For all whose image of your creation
is marred by pain and suffering
A: Your kingdom come
B: Your will be done

For those who wake each morning
to shellfire and destruction
A: Your kingdom come
B: Your will be done

For children dispossessed of childhood
and transformed into soldiers
A: Your kingdom come
B: Your will be done

For orphans wandering lonely roads
to uncertain futures
A: Your kingdom come
B: Your will be done

For each persecuted family
carrying your Cross
A: Your kingdom come
B: Your will be done

~ Copyright © John Birch
Posted on Faith and Worship website

Lord, so many people are in pain,
Teach us the way to peace.

When people around us don’t agree and think differently,
Lord, teach us to listen and understand.

When we see people getting hurt,
Lord, teach us to speak up.

When we see people who are hungry and poor,
Lord, teach us to give to them like you give to us.

When we see people treated poorly because of their skin color or language,
Lord, teach us to be an example of love.

When we see war and conflict around the world,
Lord, teach us how to make a difference and bring peace.

When we see pain,
Lord, teach us to bring healing.

When we feel low and things don’t seem to be going well,
Lord, teach us to talk to our friends, our family and to you.

When we stop and see all you have given us.
Lord, teach us to be thankful.

In our lives, our neighborhoods and the world
Lord, teach us to pray and teach us the way to peace.

~ from Litanies and Prayers for Peace and Justice
Posted on the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America website

Not in my name
Will we fight terror with terror
Not in my name
Will we exploit the resources of those who are poorer
Not in my name
Will the bodies of the innocent be broken for the evils of a few
Not in my name
Will we deny life to those for whom life is a struggle
Not in my name
Will the name of god be used as an excuse for our own self interest
Not in my name
Will we be blinkered by our flawed sense of justice
Not in my name
Will the bread of life be robbed from the mouths of the world’s hungriest
Not in my name
Will we find salvation in the defeat of our enemies
Not in my name
Will our government wipe out innocent families
Not in my name
Will we reap reward from terrorism and invasion
Not in my name
Will the west get rich through the debts of the poor

We thank Christ for his body broken and blood shed.
We acknowledge his sacrifice for the salvation and redemption of the world.
We acknowledge innocent blood shed and bodies broken
to be enemies of God’s kingdom and a sin against creation.
We acknowledge love, truth, grace, justice, righteousness, mercy and humility
to be signatures of god’s rule.
May God bless us as we seek to send a clear message to those in authority…
Not in my name!

~ from Jonny Baker’s Worship Tricks website

Justice and kindness make for peace.
Justice and kindness are for healing the hurts in ourselves,
our relationships, and in the world.

Many people around us and in this world suffer deprivation and persecution.
Creator God, help us prevent suffering where we can
and in ways that show your love for all creation.
Help us to care for those who suffer.

Many people around us and in this world experience hurt,
grief, brokenness, and sorrow.
Loving God, help us to recognize when we are part
of what brings pain, grief, and brokenness to others.
Help us to act in healthy and loving ways
with our friends and neighbors, with strangers and enemies.
Help us to love others as ourselves.
Help us to love ourselves as you love us.

Many people around us and in this world are silent victims
and unable to bring about healing for themselves and their loved ones.
Sustaining God, help us to speak the truth with love and humility.
Help us to advocate for justice for those unable to speak for themselves.
Guide us as we seek ways to bring healing for others
in a world filled with sickness and destruction.
Sustain us with your love and bless us with hope
for times when we feel the job is too big
and the work is never done.

Justice and kindness make for peace and healing.
Dear God, let it begin with me.

~ Scott Douglas and Mary Dulabaum, from the Association of Brethren Caregivers
Posted on the On Earth Peace website

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