A litany that uses Psalm 126 as a framework for gratitude about our community and God’s work among them.
Resources by Matt Timms
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, three in one, and one in three, triune God of perfect unity, Lord, in your mercy, unify your people. Today, we look to you with gratitude. We thank you for the ways your Spirit is at work, drawing Christians together across denominations and churches. We thank you for the conversations that happen locally as churches partner together to love their neighborhoods. We thank you for the conversations that happen denominationally as churches covenant together and strive to be a light in this world. We pray for these conversations and relationships that they would deepen and draw us together. Lord, in your mercy, unify your people. Today, we look to you with longing. We long to be one as you are one. We long for our disagreements inside, between, and among our churches to be resolved. We long for people to identify us simply as “Christian” rather than the many other labels we receive or give ourselves. And we long for our unity to be a witness to the world of your love. We pray that you would cultivate this longing more deeply within us. Lord in your mercy, unify your people. Today, we look to you with humility. We confess the ways that we contribute to disunity. We confess that we have scoffed at other traditions, pulled away from fellow believers, and ignored opportunities for unity. Protect us from a pride that holds ourselves aloof from our brothers and sisters. Remind us that we do not draw the lines and boundaries of your kingdom. We pray that you would lead us to a place of humble engagement, seeking your will and desire for your church more than an opportunity to be right. Lord, in your mercy, unify your people. Today, we look to you who is love. We marvel that you look at us, your people, fractured as we are, with such deep affection. Let your love drive us to love one another. As we strive toward unity, may our differences not become wounds. Where distinctions remain, let love abound. Where opinions differ, let love abound. Where conversations break down, let love abound. We pray that, above all, you would help us be people of your love. Lord in your mercy, unify your people. Today, we look to you with hope. In a world where division and alienation flow so easily, you call us into a life that is marked by unity and love. We believe that you are at work, drawing your church together, and we thank you that in the unity of your Spirit we are one holy catholic church. By your Spirit, may this mystery and wonder be reflected more and more in your church around the world. Lord in your mercy, unify your people. Amen. This prayer is available in Portuguese here.
This litany is inspired by and follows the movements of Psalm 136, with a focus on God’s enduring love. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. God’s love endures forever. Give thanks for the love at the heart of our God: For love that overflows with a bubbling joy to the world; For love that welcomes and enfolds and reaches out to us; For love that holds the hope of restoration. God’s love endures forever. Give thanks for God’s love that delights in creating: For love that celebrates the fall harvest and new life in the spring; For love that grants the warmth of the summer heat and sparkles in the fallen snow; For love that pays attention to the smallest seed and to the largest whale; For love that has created a world of dynamic wonder. God’s love endures forever. Give thanks for God’s love that draws near to us: For love that sent God’s only Son; For love that delivered us and brought us out of bondage to sin; For love that sought us out by God’s Spirit and called us to faith. God’s love endures forever. Give thanks for God’s love that extends to all: For love that welcomes people of every race, class, and gender; For love that endlessly endures and cannot be stopped; For love that calls us, God’s people, to love our neighbors as ourselves. God’s love endures forever. Give thanks for God’s love: For love that remembers us when we have forgotten God; For love that delivered us when we were in need; For love that preserves us when we struggle; For love that reigns, bringing restoration to our world. God’s love endures forever. Amen.
