Christmas 1 (Year C, 2021): Litany for Christ Among Us

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Here is the litany for the first Sunday after Christmas, Year C. This year that falls on 12/26/21. In the texts for this day, we witness the young Jesus having completely forgotten his family and responsibilities, he's so caught up in seeking and reveling in wisdom at the temple. May we seek wisdom and connection with the Divine with such single-mindedness.

I hope to have Christmas 2, as well as a New Year's prayer for you all by early next week. Cheers!

God, in this Christmas season we turn our hearts and minds to your great love
Which is demonstrated in the person of Christ:
A powerful force for transformation in the world,
Available and freely given to us all.

Epiphany 3 (Year A): Litany for Fishing for People

Hi! In 2019 I moved much of my work over to Patreon
as part of my effort to make this work sustainable.
So thanks for reading and subscribing.
You can find archived litanies here, and purchase my book here.

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This week’s Lectionary gospel is Matthew’s account of the calling of Andrew, Peter, James and John to leave behind their fishing vocation, and take up a new one allied with the Community of Heaven. Jesus famously says: “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” Which is a wry and funny thing (in my opinion) for him to say. I’m envisioning us here, gently swept up, netted into a new paradigm of love. 

Oh God, we hear the Good News from Christ:
Change your mind! For God’s Community is right here,
And we take this news to heart,
Putting all our energy into making the transition…

Palm Sunday (Year C): Litany for Shouting Stones

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I’ve moved much of my work over to Patreon.
This is part of my effort to make 2019 a #yearofwritingsustainably
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This week is Palm Sunday, and the Lectionary offers two options. I'm using Liturgy of the Palms references for this prayer. Enjoy, and if you have a second, please let me know how this Lent series has gone for you and your community. Thanks!

God, we throw down our cloaks
And raise up shouting praise
Because of the beauty of Christ
And his deeds of power …

Find my book of congregational litanies on Amazon. And follow along via instagram @thelitanist

Litany for Compassion Fatigue (Proper 11, Year B)

In this week's Gospel reading, we see a tired Christ surrounded by tired disciples, looking for some rest and respite from their work. But they can't find it, even when they get on a boat and sail away to an empty place. Crowds of the sick and needy still find them there. And Christ sees the crowd and Mark's gospel says "he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd."

If you are suffering from compassion fatigue in these times, you're not alone. Maybe this litany will be helpful to you.

God, we bear witness to Christ:
In scripture,
In spirit,
And in our own experience.

We see the times when he and his disciples were exhausted
By the constant cries of distressed people,
By exerting themselves in service
By crowds and noise and need.

We have felt those same feelings,
And needed similar rest.

Help us not to grow irritable or resistant
To the needs of human beings;
But to have compassion for your people,
The sheep of your pasture.
For we are among them,
Hungry and in need of healing;
Hoping to touch the fringe of Christ’s cloak (Mark 6:56),
Hoping for miracles.

Help us to find respite from noise and distraction
And find connection with you,
Life with you,
Nourishment with you,
Peace with you,
Rest with you.

As as we daily enter the quiet place of restoration,
May we find you there.
And when we must go a little farther, pour out a little more,
May we receive our strength from you.
Amen

Litany for Meekness

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Matt 5:5
The meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity. Ps 37:11

I looked up the definition of meekness in Strong’s concordance. Mildness, gentleness, with strength. The word in English lacks the depth of the Greek word, which implies strength and humility toward God and others, not merely weakness or submissiveness. Seems to me that meekness is the right remedy for our collective defensiveness.



God, we are often so wrapped up in the ways we are righteous,
In defending every assault on our character.
We are preoccupied with our schedules and responsibilities,
With everything we are striving to do right,
With stands we are taking
And arguments we are making.

Let us remember, as we navigate difficult times
And engage in difficult conversations
The meekness of Christ;
Whose meekness listens quietly
     Is not defensive
     Asks questions
     Humbly accepts correction
     Does not fight back
     Gently endures pressure
     Responds with love.

Meekness is not concerned with self-righteousness.
Meekness lets pride fall away.
Meekness courageously embraces alert quietness.
Meekness does not need to defend itself.

Blessed are the meek.
Blessed is Christ our example,
     Who is lowly, gentle, and humble of heart,
     Who did not exalt himself
     Who allowed the blame of all to be put upon him
     And did not protest.

Change our hearts, Oh God,
Toward meekness
Toward the deep strength of lovingkindness
And the confidence of your regard.

Amen

Easter 5 (Year A): Litany for Looking at Christ

Here are the Lectionary passages for this Sunday, May 14, Year A. I have utilized the 1 Peter 2 and John 14 passages.
 

Eternal Christ, Out-poured Heart of God,
Merciful One,
Originator of Forgiveness,
Author of Peace:

It is to you that we can look
When we want to see God.
It is to you that we can draw near
When we want to be close to God.
It is you that we can imagine
When we want to understand God.
It is to you that we can turn
When we need to take refuge in God.
It is through you we can go;
You’re a direct route to God. (1)

You were with us all along,
But we kept on rejecting you. (2)
Now, just in the nick of time,
We are wrapping our arms around you. (3)

We rely upon your gracious promise:
That if we ask for anything in your name, you’ll do it. (4)
We ask to join you,
To be part of that divine communion --
You in God, God in you, (5)
Us, dancing and working along with you.
Where you are,
There may we be also (6)

Amen

(1) John 14:6
(2) 1 Pet 2:7
(3) 1 Pet 2:10
(4) John 14:13
(5) John 14:10
(6) John 14:3

Litany for Advent Week 1: Hope

We enter into this first Sunday of the Advent season, turning our attention to You, God. We acknowledge the darkness that is within us, and that permeates the world.
Father, forgive us.

We acknowledge the suffering, tragedy, and pain by which humanity is afflicted, which seems at times to overwhelm us.
Draw near to us, Oh God.

We consider the mystery of your ways, that you might choose to send our Savior as an innocent baby and not as a warrior or a king; as one who humbly accepted suffering and humiliation and called it glory.
Our hope is in Jesus Christ, the Messiah.

We choose in this moment to focus our attention on HOPE; the hope of Jesus Christ and all his coming represents for suffering people, the hope for restoration of all that is broken in the world, the hope of new life and resurrection.
Hope is the light we wish to see by.

Grant, Oh God, that when he comes, Christ may find us waiting in expectation, our souls quieted, our hearts soft and open.
We wait in hope for the Lord.

In Christ all things are made new, and we look forward to the day our hope is fulfilled, each heart reconciled, the work of Christ completed in all the earth.
Our hope is in Jesus Christ, the Messiah.

Amen