A Litany for Discernment from the Prayer and Discernment Task Force. I. Voices 1 and 2 1. God for us, we call you Father, Mother, Creator, Lord 2. God alongside us, we call you Jesus, Savior, Brother, Friend 1. God within us, we call you Holy Spirit, Restorer, Inspiration, Sustainer 2. You are the eternal mystery that enables, enfolds, and enlivens all things 1. Even us and even me 2. Every name falls short of your goodness and greatness 1. We can only see who you are in what is 2. We ask for such perfect seeing-- 1. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be. (Adapted from a meditation by Richard Rohr)[i] II. Voices 3 and 43. Christ be with us, Christ within us, 4. Christ behind us, Christ before us, 3. Christ beside us, Christ to win us, 4. Christ to comfort and restore us. 3. Christ beneath us, Christ above us, 4. Christ in quiet, Christ in danger, 3. Christ in hearts of all that love us, 4. Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.[ii] III. Voices 5 and 65. For the Church throughout the world 6. We give you thanks 5. For the church of our heritage 6. We give you thanks 5. For the churches of our dioceses 6. We give you thanks 5. For our bishops whom you have raised up to shepherd us 6. We give you thanks 5. For the clergy whom you have chosen to pastor and guide us 6. We give you thanks 5. For our faithful congregations who seek to spread your love 6. We give you thanks IV. Voices 1 and 21. Deliver us, O Lord, from the way of sin and death 2. Lord, hear our prayer 1. Open our hearts to your grace and truth 2. Lord, hear our prayer 1. Fill us with your holy and life-giving Spirit 2. Lord, hear our prayer 1. Keep us in the faith and communion of your holy Church. 2. Lord, hear our prayer 1. Teach us to love others in the power of the Spirit. 2 Lord, hear our prayer 1. Send us into the world to witness to your love 2. Lord, hear our prayer 1. Bring us to the fulness of your peace and glory 2 Lord, hear our prayer 1 Grant that all who are baptized into the death of Jesus Christ may live in the power of his resurrection and look for him to come again in glory 2. Lord, hear our prayer[iii] V. Voices 3 and 43. Help us to discern your will for our churches 4. O God, of our days and years, give us experiences of your heart 3. Draw us deep into your very being, into the core of your love 4. We do not know what to ask you 3. You alone know our real needs 4. Enable us to discern the truth and not be clouded by our emotions 3. We put our trust in you, and we ask that we learn to trust each other 4. Give us hearts that perceive the good and are slow to take offence 3. Help us put our trust in you as we practice discernment for our churches VI. Voices 5 and 6 5. God to enfold me, God to surround me, God in my speaking, God in my thinking. 6. God in my sleeping, God in my waking, God in my watching, God in my hoping. 5. God in my life, God in my lips, God in my soul, God in my heart. 6. God in my sufficing, God in my slumber, God in mine ever-living soul, God in mine eternity.[iv] VII. Voices 1-61. Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, 2. Your Kingdom come, your will be done, On earth as in heaven. 3. Give us today our daily bread 4. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. 5. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. Amen 6. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all, evermore. Amen AttributionsComments are closed.
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