Litanies & Prayers

The time has come to flee Pharaoh’s national security state for the insecurity of the wilderness.

Led by the Spirit and sustained by angels, we head to the desert for a throw-down with the Devil.

Fear not. God will sustain you. Your clothes will not wear out, your feet will not swell.

Bravo! Bravo to the One who comes from the unknown and unseen place to rattle the landscape and roust the pretenders!

This One, and this One alone, is worthy of devotion.

The Majestic One thunders into the silence of tyranny. At the sound of this Voice, all creation shudders in remembrance of forgotten promises.

Sisters and Brothers in the God Movement: Hear and heed these words of instruction. Don’t hedge on the truth. Trust the ties that bind us one to another. Truth-telling makes them stronger.

Remember this: The world is too dangerous for anything but truth and too small for anything but love.*

When you become angry with another—and it’s bound to happen—don’t let your anger overwhelm your affection.

With eyes apprised by the urgency of Heaven, with lungs in harmony; with hands contrite—no fear, no fright—we raise our humble plea.

Christ in your mercy, enslave every malice, transform every heartache to glee. Rain mercy upon us; Beloved, conform us, to Heaven’s harmony.

All virtue and valor, bestow on our way. Consign all contempt to the flame. Be thou my vision—freed from its prison—with hope confess, proclaim.

The Radiance of Day is my light and salvation.
No threat can entrap me, no terror encroach.

The Sovereign’s my full-armored haven, safe harbor.
No storm can o’erwhelm me, no gale can prevail.

Though foes clamor ’round, bitter fright falls in torrents,
thy Sheltering Hand’s dense defense doth surround me.

The great and mighty judge had no use for God,
neither for people, save the few with favors to grant
or flattery to display.

Widow woman, widow woman,
     face bathed in tears.

Least of the judge’s concerns were the pitiful pleas
of those with no standing in the courtrooms of the mighty.

When we are asked—Who are you?—what shall we say?

We are followers of Jesus who believe that doing justice and loving mercy are intimately tied to walking humbly with God.

And if asked—What is you mission?—how do we respond?

Where there is no vision, the people perish.

Where there is no prophecy, the people cast off restraint.

Without revelation, people run wild.

All who dwell in the dell of the Blessed Embrace shall raise anthems of joy and grace.

My fortress, my shield, by mercy concealed: O Shelter, my shiv’ring displace.

The Protector uncovers the snare of the fowler and snatches from ravaging claws. ’Neath Redemption’s wide wings every heart soars and sings, every voice, every hand, shouts applause!