Through the Spring and Summer, and now into Fall, we have borne the grief of a global pandemic, endured a massive loss of life and of livelihood, and protested escalating violence against Black Lives. Even as we wait on the help of Almighty God, we are compelled to stand up; to defend the cause of righteousness. With boldness in our prayers and by our actions we seek to redeem the soul of our nation.
Love Your Enemies (Luke 6:27-36, NRSV)
The Scripture reading is drawn from Sunday’s lesson for Oct0ber 11, 2020 ©Uniform Lessons Series, National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA.
6:27 “But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29 If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. 30 Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.
32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return.[a] Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
A Litany for the Repair of the World
This litany, composed by Rev. Dr. Tammy Wiens, Director of Christian Education and Faith Formation for the National Council of Churches, was originally offered during the September 29, 2020, Covid-19 Relief Prayer Vigil sponsored by the Washington Interreligious Staff Community (WISC). The 12-hour interfaith vigil was an opportunity to bring faith leaders from a variety of denominations and faith traditions together to pray for those most harmed during these months of global pandemic and economic downturn, and to urge congressional action to bring relief to those in need. Faith leaders from a variety of denominations and faith traditions spoke, led prayers, and urged people to advocate and act.
One: Healing God, ignite the hearts of all people to act for the benefit of others; hear our prayers for the repair of all that is broken in our world.
Many: May God’s peace and justice flow through me.
One: Hear our prayers for the leaders of government in the United States and in all countries of the world. We especially pray for those members of Congress who have it within their power to relieve the suffering of individuals most harmed by the impact of the pandemic.
Many: May God’s peace and justice flow through me.
One: We confess, O Lord, that we who have remained relatively unscathed by sickness, or food insecurity, or a change in employment status, have turned a blind eye to the gross inequities this pandemic has laid on People of Color. Forgive us. Let us be reconciled as siblings in the One Family of God.
Many: May God’s peace and justice flow through me.
One: God of Truth, make us bold in our vision for a society built on honesty and fairness. Bring Your truth to bear in our words, so that we might speak peaceably with one another. Inspire us to take a stand for a world in which people of every race and color share equal access to health care, and jobs, and a well-balanced meal.
Many: May God’s peace and justice flow through me.
One: Holy One, infuse our lives with your righteousness and love so that we might be generous toward others. Stir in us a prayer for those we see as “enemies.” Expose the lies that pit neighbor against neighbor, Republican against Democrat, Christian against Muslim or Jew, “us” against “them.”
Many: May God’s peace and justice flow through me.
One: We call on your Unsayable Name. In these days of uncertainty, relieve our fears of the continued spread of the virus, or the fear of protests, or the fear of losing control. By your strength, let us find courage to stare down our fears for the sake of doing what is right.
Many: May God’s peace and justice flow through me.
One: Lord of Creation, renew our sense of Sabbath, where one day of honoring You brings all other days of the week into alignment with Your sacred purpose for all of life. We give you thanks for Your Provision for us, and for the redemption that is won for us in Jesus Christ.
Many: May God’s peace and justice flow through me.
ALL: We commit all of our prayers for the repair of the world into the hands of Almighty God, Who was and Is and Is-To-Come. Amen.