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 baptismal rejoicing, 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: You shall be like a watered garden,
like a spring of water, whose waters never fail.
[Isaiah 58:10a,11b]
L: Let us pray. God of our salvation,
through the waters of the sea you rescued your people from
slavery and through the baptism of death Christ freed us from
death's hold. Let us who have passed through baptismal waters
know ourselves to be blessed with power and grace;
C: That all might share at the feast
of the Lamb!
L: Risen Lord, victorious over death:
in compassion for your troubled friends you appeared in many
places, that they might dare again to trust. In a world of dire
hunger and shattered faith, strengthen us, also, with signs of
your presence;
C: That all might share at the feast
of the Lamb!
L: Lord Jesus, hidden traveler along
the road: at your companions' request you stayed for supper, and
they recognized you in the breaking of the bread. Open our
hearts to the words of those who walk beside us; move us to ask
new friends to table,
C: That all might share at the feast
of the Lamb!
L: God, whose will is well-being and
life: you gave your apostles power to heal and to witness boldly
before the rulers of the age. Inspire us also to speak with
power for the sake of the hungry and the poor,
C: That all might share at the feast
of the Lamb!
L: Gracious God, whose mercy is
everlasting: your followers in Jerusalem acted with one heart
and soul, owning all things in common and dividing their goods
that none might need. As we gather like them for the breaking of
the bread, give us freedom toward our belongings and glad and
generous hearts,
C: That all might share at the feast
of the Lamb!
L: O God, creator of all that lives
and grows upon the earth: as springs of water refresh a garden,
the waters of baptism have renewed your people, that we might
flourish in beauty and give you praise. Pour out upon us the
Spirit of your love, that we might pour ourselves out for the
hungry, and rich and poor alike may feast in joy. In the name of
Jesus we pray,
C: Amen.
God, our redeemer: Give us the courage
to cast out old leaven, that the hope of the poor be not starved
by deceit, but wickedness give way to sincerity and truth; in
the name of Christ, our paschal lamb, who lives and reigns with
you, both now and forever; Amen.
Lord Jesus, you passed through doors
locked by fear and breathed your Spirit upon those gathered,
embracing them with the gift of peace and sending them as you
had first been sent. As you transformed their fear and sent them
onward, so send us to reconcile and bring God's peace; that
violence steal your children's bread no longer, but unity might
do away with war. In your holy name we pray; Amen.
God, our provider: to the disciples in
Galilee you sent a great catch of fish; your risen Son prepared
them breakfast by the sea. When we are discouraged by hours of
fruitless labor, surprise us with the abundance of your gifts;
feed us by your own untiring hand. In Jesus' name we pray; Amen.
Jesus, our brother, first-born of the
dead: you ate and drank with your disciples after you rose,
sharing with them bits of bread and broiled fish. As you used
the simplest things to show forth God's power of resurrection,
so use the pieces of ordinary food we share to reveal the
miracles you continue to accomplish. Amen.
Risen Christ, ascended beyond the
clouds: you bade your disciples go no further until they were
clothed with power from on high. Be not far from us in our own
times of waiting, when we are left behind to watch and pray.
Wrap us in garments of patience and trust until, clothed with
power by our Comforter and Advocate, we are made ready to offer
comfort to those in sorrow and advocacy for the oppressed. This
we ask in the name of that same Spirit, the promise of the
Father, with whom you live and reign, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
Easter II (A)
O God of our risen Lord, we praise
you, we bless you, we worship you for the gifts of life you give
us. Always you offer us life, and for this we bless your holy
name. And we beg you, give your life also to all who know only
hunger and the pangs of death. So may the whole world be raised
to life, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Easter IV (A)
O God, our Shepherd, with your own
arms you enfold us in safety, and again at this table you have
brought us to good pasture. Blessed are you, our Door, our Fold,
our Food. Hasten the day, O God, when all the lost ones of the
earth find life through your gracious care; through Christ our
Lord. Amen.
Easter IV (C)
Blessing and glory and wisdom and
thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever
and ever! Amen! O mighty God, we live in your presence; you are
our light, our food, our spring of fresh water. We beg that you
show forth your might, bringing all creation to the land where
hunger is no more, where living water instead of tears shines on
the faces of all. Amen.
Easter VI (B)
O loving God, every day you love us
again. We see your love on this table, and we praise your gifts
that we may live. Create us into loving people, and make our
love for those in need reflect your love for us, 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. |
