Here are some ways to focus your
congregation's worship on hunger ministry during specific parts
of the service. You may copy these prayers and litanies and
paste them into your worship bulletin or other resource in your
congregation, as long as the source (see
information below) is cited.
L: In this season of shining hope, let us call to mind the
prophet's vision:
If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire
of the afflicted,
C: Your light shall rise in the
darkness and your gloom be like the noon day.
[Isaiah 58:10a-b]
L: Let us pray. God of tender
compassion: Hear the cry of your children whose hope is faint.
Lord, in mercy,
C: Make bright our gloom and fill the
hungry with every good thing.
L: Ruler of all nations, prince of
peace: Bring an end to violence and the starvation linked with
war. Lord, in mercy,
C: Make bright our gloom and fill the
hungry with every good thing.
L: Promised Savior, who will
faithfully bring forth justice: Overturn oppression and greed;
raise up those whom the world has brought low. Lord, in mercy,
C: Make bright our gloom and fill the
hungry with every good thing.
L: Holy child, stable-born: Provide
warm shelter for the homeless poor, and help us to see you in
every guest. Lord, in mercy,
C: Make bright our gloom and fill the
hungry with every good thing.
L: Infant of Bethlehem, brought in
haste to Egypt: Console all driven from home by cruel threat,
and protect all who must wander in search of refuge. Lord, in
mercy,
C: Make bright our gloom and fill the
hungry with every good thing.
L: O God, you have remembered your
promise of mercy, you have come to dwell among us, and you have
revealed your glory. Pour out upon us the Spirit of your love,
that we might pour ourselves out for the hungry and reveal your
care to the afflicted. In the name of Jesus we pray;
C: Amen.
Advent
Chosen One of God, ever patient with
bruised reed and dimly burning wick: Forgive our failings toward
those in need. Strengthen and renew us, that as we are able we
might offer care. This we ask as we wait in hope for your
coming; Amen.
Christmas
God, whose giving knows no end: Cause
us to treasure your Word made flesh, and fill us with your own
gracious Spirit, that we too might share generously of our
gifts. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Epiphany
God, whose glory is manifest among the
nations: Open our hearts to sisters and brothers across this
earth; allow us to recognize and receive the gifts they offer.
In Jesus' name, Amen.\
God, whose wonders are everlasting: As
you transformed water into wine at the wedding feast in Cana, so
transform our lives, that we might be poured out for the sake of
gladness and beauty, feasting and joy, Amen.
Advent I (A)
Blessed are you, O Lord our God,
Sovereign of the ages. In the darkness of the world, you give us
light. Amid hunger and want, you give us food. Blessed be God
forever! May we with all the human race come up to your holy
mountain where your loaves and fishes will feed the starving
world, and all shall praise your name forever. Amen.
Advent III (A)
Blessed are you, O Lord our God. You
are a river in the desert; you are a crocus in the wilderness.
You give us food for this table; blessed be God forever. That
all the world may come singing into Zion, we beg you, O Lord our
God, that you be water in all deserts and food for all the
world's wilderness. So may everyone praise your holy name. Amen.
Christmas I (C)
O God, by the birth of your Son you
gave joy to Simeon and Anna in the temple. We too are radiant
over your goodness, and we praise you for this food and drink.
May we join with saints of old to proclaim your saving goodness
by feeding the needy with your bounty, through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
The Holy Innocents, Martyrs (A)
For the food we are about to receive,
O Lord, make us truly thankful. For the suffering ones whose
cries we hear, O Lord, make us willing ministers. That in
celebration of the birth of Jesus all children may eat and live,
we beg for your generosity, O Lord. Amen.
Christmas II (B)
O Lord, we greatly rejoice: Our souls
exult in you. You cause the earth to bring forth food: We eat
and are glad. And we beg you to cause righteousness to grow
forth from the world that all peoples may live in strength and
safety, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Baptism of Our Lord (A)
Bless this food with your Spirit, O
God of our Salvation, that it may fill us with the life which
only you can grant. Bless our lives with your Spirit, O God of
the world's salvation, that we may be anointed to serve all who
cry for justice in the land; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Transfiguration of Our Lord (C)
O God, Splendor of the universe, in
the radiance of your Son you have enlightened the world. We long
to see you face to face, and we call you to this table to bless
us with your presence. May we see your face in the faces of the
poor, and eat with them so as to dine with you, through Christ
our Lord. Amen.
Source:
These litanies and prayers are taken from "Pour Yourself Out for
the Hungry: A Resource for Worship," ©1993 Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America (currently out of print but reproduced here in
its entirety).
Table prayers have been selected and
reprinted from "Blessing and Beseeching: Prayers on Food and
Hunger" (LCA, 1985-1987) by Gail Ramshaw. |
