Category: Litany

Bread-and-butter ~ work


 

Labour litany

Lord, bless the work of our hands.

For all those who toil and labour:
Lord, bless the work of their hands.

For those who have lost their jobs,
      who are unemployed or underemployed,
let us pray: Lord, bless the work of their hands.

For those who work in hazardous conditions
      without sufficient protection,
let us pray: Lord, bless the work of their hands.

For those who face discrimination, harassment,
      or abuse in the work place,
let us pray: Lord, bless the work of their hands.

For those who are not paid fair wages
      or who are denied legally due overtime pay,
let us pray: Lord, bless the work of their hands.

For migrant agricultural workers
      and for all who work the land,
let us pray: Lord, bless the work of their hands.

For all employers that they may seek to provide
      a just work environment,
let us pray: Lord, bless the work of their hands.

For those who struggle to balance job commitments
      with the needs of their family,
let us pray: Lord, bless the work of their hands.

For all humans who seek to become the co-creators
      of the promised Kingdom,
let us pray: Lord, bless the work of their hands.

Loving God,
through your Son you gave us an example of how to love one another and how to embody this love in labour to serve the poor and the oppressed. Give us the strength to continue working to bring forth your kingdom here on earth — a kingdom of justice and peace, where all know compassion, grace and mercy.
Grant this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

 
 
from re:Worship
 

Photo taken in the train on my way home from my “bread and butter”, the job that provides me with the money I need to live.
 

From the blog
In the school of prayer with Brother Lawrence
The work of our hands
Evening prayer #2
 

A strange sight

Exodus 3:1-5

Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. 3 So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight — why the bush does not burn up.”

4 When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.”

5 “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.”
 

You Break In

Into the daily cycle of our lives
When all seems well
With us and with the world
When our yoke is easy
And the burden light
You break in
And scatter our complacency

Into the daily cycle of our lives
When we are comfortable
And at our ease
When the fire is lit
But eyes are closed
You break in
And challenge our dependency

You break into
Our daily prayers
Humble hearts
Lay souls bare
You break in
You break in

You break in
When defenses are down
With an Angel’s shout
Or the quietest sound
You break in
You break in
And we change
And all things change
When you break in

 
written by John Birch, posted on the Faith and Worship website

From the blog
Prepare a way
Blessed assurance
Broken spirit sacrifice
 

Ever presence

 
Where can I go from your Spirit?
      Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
      if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
      if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
      your right hand will hold me fast.

 

Opening Litany

In the beauty of this moment
We worship you
In the fellowship of your people
We worship you
In the presence of your Spirit
We worship you
In the company of all creation
We worship you
Father, Son and Holy Spirit

 
posted on the Third Space website,
reposted on re:worship
 

From the blog
The Lord is near
Grace notes
3 Prayers for courage
 

New memories


 

A litany: Resurrection light

Risen Christ, when darkness overwhelms us
may your dawn beckon.

When fear paralyses us
may your touch release us.

When grief torments us
may your peace enfold us.

When memories haunt us
may your presence heal us.

When justice fails us
may your anger ignite us.

When apathy stagnates us
may your challenge renew us.

When courage leaves us
may your spirit inspire us.

When despair grips us
may your hope restore us.

And when death threatens us
may your resurrection light lead us. Amen.

 
— written by Annabel Shilson-Thomas, and posted on www.cafod.org.uk

From the blog
A taste for beauty
3 Prayers for endings and beginnings
Consolation joy
 

Higher than I

 

From the end of the earth I call to You, when my heart is overwhelmed and weak; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I [a rock that is too high to reach without Your help].

Psalm 61:2, Amplified Bible

 

Litany

based on Psalm 34:1-10

Living Rock of Abundant Life,
the poor cried out;
you heard, and saved them from all their troubles.

To those who have nothing,
your promise is this:
whatever is needed will be given.

Your eyes are on those who do justice,
and your ears are open to their voice.

To those who yearn for peace,
your promise is this:
whatever is needed will be given.

Your arms enfold the brokenhearted,
and rescue those whose spirits are crushed.

To those who fear the future,
your promise is this:
whatever is needed will be given.

O taste and see how good God is!
Happy are those who take refuge in the Living Rock.

 
~ from Stone Soup, a liturgy on www.seekerschurch.org

From the blog
Lament
Prayer poem: Sweet words
Guest post: For peace with justice
 

Beloved, be blessed


 

Litany

based on the life and ministry of Jesus

Come to Galilee and be blessed.
Come, see, and be blessed.
Hear him calling, and be blessed.
Stay with the Lord, and be blessed.
Take root in his land, and be blessed.
Walk along the lakeshore, and be blessed.
Bathe your feet in the water, and be blessed.
Listen to his words, and be blessed.
‘Be merciful and be blessed.’
‘Be a peacemaker and be blessed.’
Marvel at the crowds that follow him, and be blessed.
‘Feed them yourselves’, and be blessed.
‘But I have only five loaves and two fish’, and be blessed.
Watch the sunrise together, and be blessed.
Know the darkness and the light, and be blessed.
Say ‘I love you, Lord’, and be blessed.
Say ‘You know I love you’, and be blessed.
Throw out your nets, and be blessed.
Confront your fears, and be blessed.
Cross over to the other side, and be blessed.
Face into the storm, and be blessed.
Accept your weakness, and be blessed.
Acknowledge your sin, and be blessed.
Ask for healing, and be blessed.
Come to the water of life, and be blessed.
Drink deep of the Lord, and be blessed.
Walk with him on Tabor*, and be blessed.
Know yourself beloved, and be blessed.
Live in the Lord, and be blessed.
Give him space to hold you, and be blessed.
Breathe in his Spirit, and be blessed.
Let go of past pain, and be blessed.
Celebrate your joy, and be blessed.
Sing out your praises, and be blessed.
Stay a while in this place, and be blessed.
Know too when it is time to move on, and be blessed.
Take his love with you, and be blessed.
Set your face for Jerusalem, and be blessed.
 
~ written by Dr. Gareth Byrne, posted on re:worship

 
* Mount Tabor, traditionally identified as the Mount of Transfiguration

From the blog
A healing blessing
Grace upon grace
How good, how pleasant