Shared at the Armenian Genocide Remembrance service held 24 April, 2019, at Christ Church, Dublin, Ireland, (slightly adapted for Worship Words). Each section to be read by a different reader. We remember the descendants of the Armenian, Assyrian, Greek and Chaldean, people scarred by the violence over a century ago and pray for the healing […]
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The Armenian Genocide began on April 24, 1915. ‘This was the first genocide of the 20th century, perpetrated by the Ottoman Government against members of their own nation. The genocide erased approximately 75% of the world’s Armenian population—approximately 1.5 million people.’ (source: VA News) ‘The wide-scale extermination and subsequent lack of accountability inspired Polish lawyer […]
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‘Shout as loud as you can’, says God. ‘Remind my people about their sins! Every day they come to worship, eager for my ways, wanting to follow my laws. It gives them pleasure, so they say. But then they complain, asking why they should fast when it produces no favours, as though I am ignoring […]
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In honour of LGBT+ History Month… The resources listed below have been written specifically for worshipping communities intentionally created to provide safe and meaningful worship for the LGBT+ community and friends. Editor’s Note: A primary purpose behind Worship Words is to provide worship resources usable by all people, providing inclusive language and religious imagery. My […]
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In the second week of Advent, churches traditionally light the Candle of Peace. This prayer of confession might be used in worship on Sunday with this explanation: Several denominations are ‘calling on congregations NOT to light their second Advent candle — in solidarity with all those who are suffering in the war between Israel […]
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Originally written for Reign of Christ Sunday*, the last Sunday of the Church Year. God of love: hear our prayer. This morning we think about those who hold positions of power. We ask that you bless them with wisdom, convict them with conscience and afflict them with compassion for all those who are affected by […]
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Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) is an annual observance on 20 November honouring the memory of those whose lives have been lost in acts of anti-transgender violence. Newest ‘Transgender Day of Remembrance’ posts . . . (images link to posts) ‘The Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) was started by transgender advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith as a […]
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Who shall we say that you are? Quiet God, Who comes in silence Vulnerable God, Who comes in frailty Elusive God, Wrapped in mystery Who shall we say that you are? We speak of you with many names, Knowing that none will hold you. Remind us, when we need reminding, that our words, creeds and […]
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Blessed are you, who trust in the Almighty and put your hope in God. You are like a tree planted by the water, that extends its roots to the river. When heat comes, you do not fear, your leaves remain green. You do not grieve the year of drought nor cease to bear fruit. Blessed […]
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A responsive prayer of intercession & confession Silence: a diamond symbol (♦) indicates a short pause. One: God, we call to mind those unfairly imprisoned. All: May your people dwell in justice. ♦ One: We call to mind those who need help but cannot get it. All: May your people dwell in justice. ♦ One: […]
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A Responsive Reading (could be read by two voices) One: Spirit of love and life, far too wildly inclusive to care what’s in our wallets, Many: We confess that we have failed to live up to your radical generosity. One: We have kept our religion to ourselves. Many: We have made ourselves comfortable with worship […]
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Wild God – words to Jesus It seems to us that things would be much easier if you would just do what we ask, Jesus, If you were more compliant and co-operative, more flexible and adaptable, more open to follow agendas other than your own. But frustratingly, you refuse to be tamed, Jesus. You won’t […]
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Dearest Friend, gentle spirit, breath of live, source of our being, from the peacefulness of silence, the silence that preceded Creation, your speaking entered the void and light burst forth. Our hearts are filled with gratitude that your speaking extends to us today, that your light illuminates our world and our lives. Even as we […]
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Originally written for Good Friday Jesus, man of sorrows, give me the courage to be a faithful witness to those who are suffering. Help me to overcome my awkwardness and fear to sit with them among the ashes, and to stay alongside. Help me to not recoil from sickness or death, but to be a […]
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Open my eyes that I may see the needs of others; open my ears that I may hear their cries; open my heart so that they need not be without succour; Let me not be afraid to defend the weak because of the anger of the strong, nor afraid to defend the poor because of […]
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Home is where the heart is. We remember the bereaved. Home is where I lay my head at night. We remember those sleeping in the street. Home is the hotel midway between here and there. We remember the refugee. Home is the guestroom of friends. We remember the outcast. Home is the terrace house on […]
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Karen writes, ‘This poem is in part autobiographical, speaking of my family, but also about the Church and world.’ Consider sharing this at a communion service. Mummy says ‘Come, for the feast is spread!’ She cracks the sweet between her teeth; A piece for you, a piece for me, No one on top, no one […]
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What are the Reparations? tune: “The Church’s One Foundation” – Aurelia It seems that God’s creation is not what was designed. So easy to accept things and then become resigned To never being different, wrongs ne’er to be repaired Will ever come the time when your bounty’s fairly shared? We see the world around us […]
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Written for Epiphany, Year C Teach your Chosen One, O God, how to rule your people with justice and how to govern with gentleness the people who stagger under heavy loads. May your Chosen One judge fairly and give attention to the people most in need. May your Chosen One be like showers of rain […]
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God of choice and purpose, as we enter a period before the election, we pray you give us wisdom with this precious vote. Help us choose elected officials who will stand up for all that is good and right in our community and nation. May this election be about policy and not personality. May there […]
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A Statement of Faith (translated from the Spanish) I believe in the God who fired the first sun, who made life beat and who made it beautifully diverse, who went out to play, naked, through the gardens of the universe without fear of time, smiling, greeting the breeze. I believe in a God who befriended […]
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Peace Your promise Our hope Peace in our communities… Unite us to raise our voices against violence in our homes in our churches in our schools in our work places Peace on our earth… Unite us to take a stand, to act to become eco-churches to go green in our homes and communities to demand powers […]
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Inspired by Psalm 48 Pentecost 7, Year B Our God, we come to you in longing. We have a deep desire for justice: in our international policies, in our local politics, and in our personal relationships. We long for leaders with vision, leaders who place common good above political gain, who look beyond the next […]
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‘We stand for…’, a Litany of Love We do not stand against, We stand for: Love, inclusion, life, and dignity, Offering a hand to those in need, Or a shoulder to those who weep. We do not stand against, We stand with: The fearful, the oppressed, The rebels and truth-tellers, Those who take action. We […]
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Power of Wholeness, sweep through each nation on the face of this globe. Fill us with the will and conviction to work towards reconciliation. Unite us as indigenous and invader settled in a new home, As settled colonizers and more recent immigrants and refugees seeking a new home, As Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, Jews, Hindus — […]
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Great mysterious Spirit of Love, be with me today and all days. Open my heart, move my hands, speak through my mouth and awaken my mind to prepare me for the work of love, caring, and justice in this broken and beautiful world. Sustain me when I am afraid. Goad me forward when I retreat […]
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Christian leaders in Jerusalem issued this joint prayer in 2014 to be used in services of worship during the World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel, held annually during the third week of September. The Jerusalem Prayer ‘Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you […]
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A prayer for the World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel (third week of September) God, loving Parent of all humankind, You are our Peace. In Jesus you embodied peace with justice – And you still do— Peace at its most down-to-earth, Peace, which can still prevail In the face of all the […]
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Based on Proverbs 13:23 God, In the fields of the poor Even when abundant fruits ripen, Injustice sweeps them away, And families hunger. Help us to share The fruits of your bounty So that all your family may benefit From your gracious gifts. Christian Concern for One World UK provides free bookmarks including […]
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Read the prayers aloud. At each point, pause to reflect and fill in the names of places and people as appropriate. Creator-Spirit, Heartbeat of God’s love, melt my coldness, chase away the shadows, captivate my heart, until I am filled with the same stubborn, selfless and self-giving Love for the world that is your […]
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The origins of this prayer are unknown, but it surely presents another perspective of St Francis. May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression and exploitation of people so that you may work for justice, freedom and peace. May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, hunger […]
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God of the prophets, we lift our prayers to you. Prayers of intercession for Eighth Sunday of Pentecost, Year B Amos 7:7-15 Ready-to-print copy: PDF Prayers of Intercession – Amos 7,7-15 WORD Prayers of Intercession – Amos 7,7-15 A different responsive line might be chosen, e.g. God of the prophets, we lift our prayers to […]
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O Christ, you lived as an ordinary man not in style but simply, yet still you caused uproar, and questions everywhere; you drew the expectations of hungry crowds, and brought buried conflicts to the light. May we, who are sometimes swayed by the crowd’s approval, and who often avoid conflict for fear of its cost […]
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Luke 12:13-21 ‘The Rich Fool’ Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost, Year C God of Life, Creator of the earth and all that is in it, we lift our prayers of thanks to you For the beauty of the earth that surrounds us, For spring flowers that dazzle us and summer’s greenery that delights us, For […]
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Let me stand before enemies with love prepared to break soil, to prune branches to do the hard work of growing peace For I will need stout tools to work this rough land well, to bring fruits of justice out of rocky earth, to tend the muscular trees of mercy. Steve Garnaas-Holmes serves in ministry […]
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Tune: “Fairest Lord Jesus” (Crusaders’ Hymn: 5.6.8.5.5.8) Seeker of justice, turner of the tables One who made sure that the poor were fed Land for the landless, home for the homeless And baskets filled with fish and bread. Friend of the friendless, lover of the enemy, Love that conventions cannot contain, Boundless compassion, put into […]
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The Empire Feeds Cold and dark clamp down on us. The Empire feeds itself, human bodies as fuel, boots tracking blood. Rachel weeping for her children, we’ve heard it before. The person with the megaphone doesn’t care. The emperor has spoken. Only the most fragile voice cries out for hope. The gentle bear it, weeping […]
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Why 6 December? On 6 December 1989 fourteen women were murdered and nine women and four men were wounded at the École Polytechnique in Montreal, Canada. The man responsible specifically targeted women, separating them from their male colleagues. The violence ended when he shot and killed himself. Since that day, 6 December has been set […]
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Simple Living provides lyrics for Christmas Carols with Justice. The verses blend traditional and bold progressive language. They are easy to use and bring the real world into Christmas. “Jesus’ birth has taken on much cultural significance as a celebration of good will, warm feelings and excessive consumerism. These new stanzas help to connect his birth […]
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Each September the Palestine Israel Ecumenical Forum of the World Council of Churches invites participation in the World Week for Peace in Palestine & Israel, a week of advocacy and action supporting an end to the illegal occupation of Palestine and a just peace for all in Palestine and Israel. Congregations and individuals around the […]
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