This gathering litany originally appeared in "The Lord, Our Shepherd—Lent 1: The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want."
Litany of Response:
When the advertisements offer us everything,
if we only have the money;
and you offer everything
if only we do without,
Lord, help us to say “no” to the world
and “yes” to you.
When the easier way to succeed
means we lose our integrity,
but the harder way
means we lose our pride,
Lord, help us to say “no” to the world
and “yes” to you.
When society wants us to conform and be nice,
and you want us to rebel and be real,
Lord, help us to say “no” to the world
and “yes” to you.
When our friends don't respect
what we count as important,
but you call us to persist and overcome,
Lord, help us to say “no” to the world
and “yes” to you.
When we feel alone and forsaken by you
and are tempted to forsake you in turn,
but you have promised your enduring presence
even when we don’t feel it,
Lord, help us to say “no” to our doubts
and “yes” to you.
When we have come to a crossroads
and we don't know where to turn,
but you call us to walk in faith with you,
Lord, help us to say “no” to our doubts
and “yes” to you.
Jesus Christ, the Son of God,
who has been preached among you
is not one who is “yes” and “no.”
He is God’s “yes”—
For it is he who is the “yes”
to all God’s promises.
—David Koll © 2002 ReformedWorship.org CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
