by Ken Sehested
O God of justice, ignite the hearts of our legislators with your commitment to truth and your demand for justice.
Give them wisdom to match their passion, intelligence to match their zeal.
Read more ›Litanies & Prayers
King Jesus and Brother Pontius
A litany for worship, "Christ the King/Reign of Christ" Sunday
by Ken Sehested
Prior to his lynching at the hand of Roman rage, and to the cheers of Caiaphas’ temple tyranny, Pilate asks Jesus, “So, are you to be king?”
“So say you, Brother Pontius,” Jesus replies. (Which is to say, I am but not as you think.) “My reign is not planted in the world you imagine. If it were, all who claim me as lord would bloody the sword.”
Read more ›The earth is satisfied
A litany for worship inspired by Psalm 104
by Ken Sehested
Worthy, worthy the One who conceived the earth and gave birth to bears and basil and beatitudes alike.
The earth is satisfied with the fruit of your work!
Read more ›Prosper the work of every generous hand
A litany for worship inspired by Psalm 90
by Ken Sehested
The earth and all its environs were marked from the beginning as the Dwelling Place of abundance. In this once-and-future land the arrogant are humbled by the countenance of Truth.
Holy the Name, whose might is manifest in mercy. Prosper the work of every generous hand.
Turn back, O merchants of misery. Your market rule shall wither in the Light of Heaven’s approach.
Read more ›Strangers we were
A litany for worship inspired by Ephesians 2:11-22
by Ken Sehested
Listen, O people of the Way, and take note. Your ancestors were once illegal aliens in the land of Southern Appalachia.* Boat people, all of you, undocumented immigrants. Scots-Irish trash; crackers and kaffirs, wetbacks and wops; gooks, goyim, gringos and gypsies.
Strangers we were, with no stake in the Promise; hopeless, helpless, beggarly-born.
Read more ›Rouse yourselves
A litany for worship inspired by Ezekiel 2:1-5
by Ken Sehested
Rouse yourselves, O creatures of clay, for it is I, the Potter of Heaven, who commands your attention!
We tremble, but trust that your grace is sufficient.
Read more ›Arise and arouse
The Blessed One is a stronghold of safety for those crushed by the world.
In every season of trouble, cling to this promise.
May this Name be upon your lips in every waking hour.
Read more ›Let Wisdom’s Way endure
A litany for worship inspired by Psalm 107
Listen now you who linger in wasted lands, consumed with wanton hearts: The Blessed One has eyes and ears opened and tuned to the cries of your distress.
Give thanks and rejoice you faint-of-limb and sick-of-soul: An open gate of Quenching Delight stands eager to receive you.
Listen now you who languish athirst, bowels rumbling in hunger: Bountiful tables—too wondrous to behold—are spread as ransom for your ruin.
Read more ›Amnesty
A litany for worship inspired by Psalm 130
If you, O God, should keep track of all our failures,
none of us would make the grade.
But your hands heap pardon on all the penitent.
Forgiveness is your middle name.
Mercy is your mandate; pardon, your provision.
Declarations of amnesty flow from your lips.
Every remorse is met with remission.
Morning by morning
A litany for worship inspired by Lamentations 3 and Luke 19:41-42
Be gracious to me, Blessed One, for I am in distress.
My eyes are awash with grief; my bed swims in tears.
My bones bulge under the weight of unlived life.
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