Litanies & Prayers

Thus says Yahweh, author and anchor of creation,
to the people of Promise whose memory has failed:

When you were but a babe, I cradled you. I swept you
into my arms and nestled you under my chin.

I suckled you and sang sweetly, cheek to cheek,
calming your restless hands and feet.

To what wilderness have you strayed, oh people of the Way? To what distraction have you tuned your ears? Have you not heard? To what diversion have you loaned your eyes? Have you not seen? Oh people of Mercy:

Sing chords of comfort to worried minds, tender songs to wounded hearts. Raise a song of gladness!

The One who established the foundations of the earth has not abandoned. The One whose breast has nursed you has not forsaken. Oh people of Mercy:

The Rock of the Righteous is our God:

Who marks the boundaries between justice and vengeance;

Who blazes the Way from enmity to peace;

By the Word of Truth we are nursed and nestled.
We are cradled, caressed, and sanctified.

But the Word of Truth is more than flapping
tongue, more than motoring mouth, more than
syllable after endless sentence designed to
deceive and disguise and delude.

Not just comfort of soul does the Truth convey:
It embeds the mandate of earth’s redemption.
All who are bound by liberty’s law are pledged to
           Insurrection’s promise:
                 its covenant with widows,
                 its assurance to orphans,
                 its welcome to strangers and aliens.

By pardon ruled, by praise renewed, let every mouth confess.

That Christ was raised and death subdued to heal, redeem and bless.

Oh happy day when hearts unfold to grace and mercy’s might.

As we enter this new millennium
we reaffirm our abiding conviction
     that the God of Scripture manifests
     special concern for the cries of the poor:

Of the marginalized, the outcast, indeed
all who have no access to the table.
     We also believe that if the people
     of God are to be faithful to our calling

We will locate ourselves in compassionate proximity
     to those whose lives are battered, bruised and broken.

In the Eastern Orthodox tradition, the season of Lent is described as a “bright sadness.”

In the sadness that surrounds our lives, our community, our world, we give thanks, nevertheless. More is at work than we can see.

Lent is a time for clearing and cleansing. Dustballs happen.

O Breath of Heaven and Earth’s Delight, to your shelter we flee from enmity’s fright.

Incline your ear to each whimpering voice collapsed by the weight of earth-splitting fear.

O Rock of Ages, refuge of sages, deflect every threat of sin-soaked rages.

Jump for joy, oh people! For amid the screaming commercials and blithering campaign ads, the Redeemer has heard our aching voice.

God hears! God knows! This is our assurance against all blistering deceit.

When misery and madness encompassed me, when anguish threatened to undo me, when heartache split my soul, I uttered my cry to any who would hear.

In every age frenzied and fretful people align themselves against the Sovereign’s provision, flailing in fear, terror-tempted, hoarding-handed, proclaiming my life is my own and none have a claim, on earth or in heaven.

Grant, O God, in such an age, that your servants will not cower in the face of such threats, but announce Heaven’s hospitable terms for earth’s healing and wholeness.

O Holy Spirit, bold and unbounded, marking Messiah and every messenger of redemption, work again your signs and wonders amid this circle of mercy.