category: Emerging Church, Prayer

Litany for Marriage Equity

By Rachael Keefe

Since the Supreme Court is about to take up Marriage Equity, many churches are raising the issue for prayer during worship. I’ve written this litany, a kind of conversation with Psalm 23, for use in worship this Sunday. Feel free to use it or adapt it to fit your congregation. …

Litany for Marriage Equity

Since the Supreme Court is about to take up Marriage Equity, many churches are raising the issue for prayer during worship. I’ve written this litany, a kind of conversation with Psalm 23, for use in worship this Sunday. Feel free to use it or adapt it to fit your congregation.

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Voice One:  God is my shepherd,
I shall not want.

Voice Two:  God who guides all people,
provide your wisdom in the Supreme Court this week.
No one should want for justice

All:  God of all people, hear our prayers.

Voice One:  God makes me lie down in green pastures;
and leads me beside still waters;

Voice Two:  All pastures are not equal and not all waters are clean.
The ability to marry is a right belonging to all people.
Let now be the time when this becomes law.

All:  God of all people, hear our prayers.

Voice One:  God restores my soul
and leads me in right paths
for the sake of God’s name.

Voice Two:  Too long, your people have been divided.
May the fears that separate LGBTQ people from others
give way to loving inclusion in the name of the One who is Love Incarnate.

All:  God of all people, hear our prayers.

Voice One:  Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I fear no evil;
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff — they comfort me.

Voice 2:  Even in your presence, many fear that change will not come
and injustice will remain the law.
Grant courage to those with power to transform fearful hatred
into beautiful liberty for all those who call on you.
Comfort the fearful ones among us
that they, too, will find welcome in your green pastures.

All:  God of all people, hear our prayers.

Voice One:  You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.

Voice Two:  You have prepared the way for Marriage Equity
even though there are many who refuse to come to the table.
May the Supreme Court open the table to all,
that marriage may be available to all
and the cup of liberty may overflow.

All:  God of all people, hear our prayers.

Voice One:  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of God
my whole life long.

sheep-506253_1920Voice Two: It is time for goodness and mercy to be the way for all.
May this be the time when all who call your name
are welcomed in your house and equal standing
in the eyes of the law.

You are the Good Shepherd, guide us to the day
when the reign of hateful discrimination
comes to an end, and your people speak of love and equity
for all your children.

All:  God of all people, hear our prayers. Amen.

RCL – Year B – Fourth Sunday of Easter – April 26, 2015
Acts 4:5-12
Psalm 23
1 John 3:16-24
John 10:11-18

Photos from Pixabay. Used with permission.

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About Rachael Keefe

Rachael is an author, a pastor, a teacher, and a poet. Her latest book (The Lifesaving Church - Chalice Press) is on faith and suicide prevention. She is currently the pastor of Living Table UCC in Minneapolis, and has launched a spiritual direction practice.

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