RESPONSIVE READING

 

Generous Lord, show us how to see the world around us through the eyes of the prophets, that we would be transformed by your truth.

In Your mercy, forgive us. In Your grace, help us to hear Your word.

Isaiah said, “Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands at a distance, for truth stumbles in the public square.” (Isaiah 59:14)

In Your mercy, forgive us. In Your grace, help us to hear Your word.

Jeremiah said, “Woe to him who builds his house by unrighteousness, and his upper rooms by injustice, who makes his neighbors work for nothing, and does not give them their wages.” (Jeremiah 22:13)

In Your mercy, forgive us. In Your grace, help us to hear Your word.

Amos said, “Hear this, you that trample on the needy, and bring to ruin the poor of the land saying, … we will practice deceit with false balances, buying the poor for silver and the needy for a pair of sandals, and selling the sweeping of the

wheat.” (Amos 8:4-6)

In Your mercy, forgive us. In Your grace, help us to hear Your word.

Malachi said, “See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me.” (Malachi 3:1)

In Your mercy, forgive us. In Your grace, help us to hear Your word.

Mary said, “... The Lord has shown strength with his arm, and scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.” (Luke 1:51)

In Your mercy, forgive us. In Your grace, help us to hear Your word.

Jesus said, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me. He has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” And he said, “Today the scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4:18-19, 21) 

In Your mercy, forgive us. In Your grace, help us to hear Your word.

In our hearing, may God’s word be fulfilled.

 

(adapted from “Faith, Economic Justice and Free Trade,” www.share-elsalvador.org/cafta/faith_eco.htm)

 

 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

 

We walk day by day along a Jericho road where we encounter many who have been beaten down by the violence of our times and abandoned for dead. Let us confess the times when we have walked by on the other side. Let us repent of our failures to love our neighbor as ourselves.  (Silence).

 

For our incapacity to feel the sufferings of others, and for our tendency to live comfortably with injustice, 

God forgive us.

For the self-righteousness that denies guilt, and the self-interest that strangles compassion,

God forgive us.

For those who live their lives in careless unconcern, who cry “Peace, peace” when there is no peace,

We ask your mercy.

For our failings in community, our lack of understanding,

We ask your mercy.

For our lack of forgiveness, openness, sensitivity,

God forgive us.

For the times we are too eager to be better than others, when we are too rushed to care, when we are too tired to bother, when we don’t really listen, when we are too quick to act from motives other than love,

God forgive us.  Lead us in the path of righteousness, justice and peace.  Free us for joyful obedience we pray,  through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.  

 

(adapted from “Ecumenical Peace Service: ‘And None Shall Be Afraid,’” 

www.kairoscanada.org/e/resources/worship/None_Shall_Be_Afraid%20ecumenical%20service.pdf)

A Prayer of Jubilee: Dreaming Anew

 

In the day of Jubilee, the Holy One brings justice to the oppressed and food to the hungry.

In the day of Jubilee, the Holy One sets the prisoners free and opens the eyes of the blind.

In the day of Jubilee, the Holy One lifts up those who are bowed down and watches over strangers and widows and orphans.

In the day of Jubilee, all creation reaps a rich harvest of peace.

Today is the day of Jubilee, for the Holy One has come.

We give you thanks, O God, for your work among us.  Transform us by your grace into a Jubilee people dedicated to the work of justice and peace.  Amen.

 

(adapted from Seekers’ Church, “Jubilee 2006: Dreaming Anew,” www.seekerschurch.org/liturgies/current.htm)

 

 

An Advent Prayer for Justice

 

In this season of Advent, we eagerly await the coming of the Lord.

Behold the Lord, God's Servant — the Chosen One. 

God's Spirit rests upon the Son to bring justice to the nations. 

We need justice in our homes and communities today. 

Come, Lord Jesus, with justice for the earth. 

We need justice in our schools and on our streets today. 

We need justice in our nation and world today. 

Come, Lord Jesus, with justice for the earth. 

Lord, God's Servant, the Chosen One,

We call upon you to uproot ungodliness 

In every crevice of human existence today. 

Come, Lord Jesus, with justice for the earth. 

We call upon you Lord, the only Righteous Judge, 

To dispense the type of justice that transforms illicit behavior. 

Come, Lord Jesus, with justice for the earth. 

We call upon you, Lord, to provide the kind of justice 

That clears the muddy waters of corruption and lifts up those who are bowed down.

Come, Lord Jesus, with justice for the earth. 

The earth cries with the voices of the hungry, 

The maimed and the slaughtered innocents. 

Come, Lord Jesus, with justice for the earth.

As it is in heaven, may it be in our midst.  

For Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever.  Amen. 

 

(adapted from “21st Century Africana Worship Resources,” www.gbod.org/worship/default.asp?act=reader&item_id=13171&loc_id=1040,1041,1061,1079)

 

 The Winter Journey of Advent

 

In this time of darkness,

We choose to look toward the Light.

In this time when so many suffer,

We choose faith, not despair:

We choose the work of compassionate justice.

 

As we move through Advent together,

Hungry for transformation, for hope,

Our steps themselves 

Transform us, nourish us.

 

We are on constant pilgrimage,

Moving to the heart of things,

Reaching beyond what any one of us

Can reach alone.

 

May the brightness of the Incarnation

Guide us as we continue,

With the promise of the Prince of Peace

As the bright star in these dark nights.

 

(adapted from “Education for Justice,” www.educationforjustice.org)

The Winter Journey of Advent