RESPONSIVE READING

 

Lord God, Author of Justice, Fount of all Life, You have called us to gather in Your name.

In the spirit of the psalmist who cried, “Give the king Your justice, O God,”

We ask that you grant our leaders Your justice.

 

Give the leaders of our local community the vision and courage to seek the peace of this place,

To link us across all our differences,

To shape policies and programs for the common good, and not just for the privileged few.

Give them compassion for the despairing and oppressed in our midst,

And grant that they would be guided by Your hope of shalom.

 

Give the leaders of North Carolina, O God, the strength to resist the temptations of power,

And to act always with “the least of these” in mind.

May they be more formed and shaped by your vision of justice than special interest dollars;

Let them not forget “the orphan, the alien and the widow” among us.

 

Give Your church, O God, the forceful lungs of a prophet,

And the heart of “a mother who longs to gather her children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings.”

Give us perseverance when it seems that we have failed to accomplish what we believe you would have us do.

Remind us that You call us not to effectiveness, but to faithfulness.

Give us words of truth and life that—by grace—would have the power to offer hope to the hopeless,

And challenge the powerful.

 

O God, You judge the hearts of all, and every secret is laid bare before You.

What has been whispered in the halls of power will one day be revealed throughout the land,

And what has been plotted against the oppressed will not stand in Your sight.

Trusting in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus,

We join together to participate in Your holy work of setting all of us captives free.

Amen.

 

(by Chris Liu Beers and Barbara Zelter)

 

 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

 

Gracious God, we acknowledge that we have failed to embody Your justice, righteousness and love.  We believe You have called us to be in the world but not of it, and yet we so often find ourselves captivated by the latest political

ideologies.  We believe You have called us to work for justice and liberation, and yet we so often find ourselves trapped in our own destructive ways of life.  We confess that we are never free from the limitations of finitude or from the influence of sin.  We confess that our perspectives may be tainted and distorted by self-interest even when we seek to know Your will.  In our fallenness we bear the capacity to be mistaken in some measure even in our most idealistic convictions and vision.  We cannot claim to know with utter certainty what You would have us do or think about any particular matter of public life.  Furthermore, we confess that no political program can be wholly identified with Your will, and no political ideology adequately represents divine truth.  We work in the hope that political involvement and specific pieces of legislation may move the community a little closer to justice, but we recognize that it would be idolatrous to identify any

political program too closely with You.  Forgive us, Lord, for our self-righteousness.  Teach us to love one another, across the barriers of political affiliations.  And raise up leaders among us who faithfully embody Your desire for justice and mercy, for righteousness and peace.  In the name of Christ, Amen.

 

(by Chris Liu Beers, with additional material from “A Statement on Christians, Churches, and Politics,” by the North Carolina Council of Churches)

 

For Local Government

 

Almighty God, our King, send down upon those who hold office in North Carolina the spirit of wisdom, charity, and justice; that with steadfast purpose they may faithfully serve in their offices to promote the well-being of all people, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

 

(adapted from the Book of Common Prayer, Prayer 23, “For Local Government,” p. 822)

 

For the State Legislature

 

O God, the fountain of wisdom, whose will is good and gracious, and whose law is truth: We ask you to so guide and bless our state Senators and Representatives that they may enact such laws as would please you, to the glory of your Name and the welfare of all people; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

 

(adapted from the Book of Common Prayer, Prayer 20, “For the State Legislature,” p. 821)

 

For Courts of Justice

 

Almighty God, who reigns over all human persons and institutions, we humbly ask you to bless the courts of justice and the magistrates throughout our state, and give them the spirit of wisdom and understanding, that they may discern the

truth and impartially administer the law in the fear of you alone; through the One who shall come to be our Judge, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ.  Amen.

 

(adapted from the Book of Common Prayer, Prayer 21, “For Courts of Justice,” p. 821)

 

 

For Sound Government

 

O Lord our Governor, bless the leaders of our land, that we may be a people at peace among ourselves and a blessing to everyone around us.

Lord, keep this state and nation under your care, just as you care for all nations and peoples of the earth.

To the President and members of the Cabinet, to Governors of States, Mayors of Cities, and to all in administrative authority, grant wisdom and grace in the exercise of their duties.

Give grace to your servants, O Lord.

To Senators and Representatives, and those who make our laws in States, Cities and Towns, give courage, wisdom, and foresight to provide for the needs of all our people, and to fulfill our obligations in the community of nations.

Give grace to your servants, O Lord.

To the Judges and officers of our Courts give understanding and integrity, that human rights may be safeguarded and justice served.

Give grace to your servants, O Lord.

And finally, teach our people to rely on your strength and to accept their responsibilities to their fellow citizens, that they may elect trustworthy leaders and make wise decisions for the well-being of our society; that we may serve you faithfully in our generation and honor your holy Name.

For Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all.  Amen.

 

(adapted from the Book of Common Prayer, Prayer 22, “For Sound Government,” p. 821-822)