RESPONSIVE READING

In a world where we are not always good stewards in caring for God's creation,
Lord, open our hearts and help us to be a blessing to your world.
In a world where a few are living off of the abundance of the land, while the many struggle to make ends meet,
Lord, open our hearts and help us to be a blessing to your children in need.
As globalization makes some wealthier while others join the ranks of the poor,
Lord, open our hearts and help us to be a blessing to your children who are facing poverty.
While some have more homes then they need and others are condemned to homelessness,
Lord, open our hearts and help us to be a blessing to your children who have nowhere to lay their head.
While statistics show that people in poverty are more likely to end up in prison than in college,
Lord, open our hearts and help us to be a blessing to your children who need guidance.
As news reports tell us of people who are eating themselves to death and we turn the page to read of those who are starving to death,
Lord, open our hearts and help us to be a blessing to your children who come to you in need.
While many of us have taken for granted and squandered the blessings, gifts, and talents you have given to us,
Lord, open our hearts and help us to be a blessing to your children who do not realize how blessed we truly are.
In a world filled with so many people who have lost their way,
Lord, open our hearts and help us to be your light that guides them back to you.
Amen.

(from the Reformed Church in America, Peace with Justice Sunday, www.rca.org/worship/material/peacejustice/index.html)

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

God of Moses and the prophets, God of Jesus and the Church, as we pause to account for who we are and how we live, we find that we are lacking. We confess that we have resisted your demand for justice and domesticated your call to discipleship. We have ignored your persistent cry in the voices of our neighbors. We have refused the mantle of prophecy vaguely hoping that someone else would dare proclaim your shalom. Time and again we’ve helped to build structures that contain and constrain your transforming power and so trivialize the church’s witness in a broken world. Forgive us God.

We want to change, God; to start fresh; to be transformed. Grant us vision and voice when we stand stupefied in the face of injustice. Let us taste the vigor and resilience of your Spirit when our spirits are exhausted and cynical. And nourish in us a trust in you that perseveres, until your realm becomes a reality in our midst. We pray trusting in the name of Jesus Christ,
Amen.

(by Noelle Damico, from the University of the Poor School of Theology, www.universityofthepoor.org/schoo ls/theology/prayers/booklet_prayers.htm)

In the Day of Our Trouble
In the day of our trouble we will call to you, for you will answer us.
When we have done what is wrong and displeasing in your sight,
O Lord, extend your love to correct us.
When we ignore those in need and pretend that all is right with the world,
O Lord, help us to face the truth.
When we turn a blind eye to those who have been stricken with poverty and face the injustices that come along with it,
O Lord, teach us your way.
Enable us to extend your love; and give us an undivided heart, that we may fear your name.
We will praise you, O Lord our God, with all our heart;
and we will glorify your name forever.
Amen.

(edited, adapted from Psalm 86, Reformed Church in America, Peace with Justice Sunday, www.rca.org/worsh ip/material/peacejustice/index.html)

I Dare to Pray

I dare to pray: Lord, let the world be changed, for I long to see the end of poverty;
I dare to pray: Lord, let the rules be changed, for I long to see trade bring justice to the poor;
I dare to pray: Lord, let my life be changed, for I long to bring hope where good news is needed.
In the strength of your Spirit and inspired by Your compassion,
I make this promise to work for change, and wait confidently for the day when You make all things new.
Amen.

(by Peter Graystone, Christian Aid, accessed at the Church of England’s Diocese of Portsmouth’s website, www.portsmouth.anglican.org)

Help Us to Be Agents of Hope

Our loving God, we admit that we have neglected to remember the poor. Forgive us, we pray. Help us, as followers of Jesus, to work together to pursue justice, be passionate about kindness and walk humbly with you, our God. May our world be transformed in every area by your love. We admit that we have been arrogant as a nation. Forgive us, Lord, we
pray. Help us to be agents of hope for and with the poor and to work with others to hold our leaders accountable in securing a more just and merciful world.
Amen.

(adapted from World Vision Australia, Anti-Poverty Sunday, www.worldvision.com.au/resources/files/Micah_Challenge_prayers.pdf)

Deliver Us from a Comfortable Conscience

O Lord Christ, who became poor that we might be rich,
deliver us from a comfortable conscience if we believe or intend
that others should be poor that we might be rich;
for in God's economy, no one is expendable.
Grant us instead the riches of love.
Amen.

(by the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, accessed at the Church of England’s Diocese of Portsmouth’s website, www.portsmouth.anglican.org)