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Creator of time and space, we come together from different places and contexts To meet in your presence  Redeemer of the whole creation, we come with our hope and sorrow To be transformed in your presence  Sustainer of life, we come to listen to you and to one another To strengthen our communion in your presence

Call to prayer

 

Creator of time and space, we come together from different places and contexts

To meet in your presence.

 

Redeemer of the whole creation, we come with our hope and sorrow

To be transformed in your presence.

 

Sustainer of life, we come to listen to you and to one another

To strengthen our communion in your presence.

 

The living God, the living, moving Spirit of God has called us together in witness and in celebration on this Human Rights Day.

We pray:

Be with us and give us strength breathing your Spirit on this fractured world,

we call your Wisdom to breathe on leaders and those in power, to respect the right of all human beings to live in peace.

We call upon your healing breath to be upon those who hate, who promote conflict and war; and those who suffer and are victims of persecution; bring freedom from conflict, and a life that’s free from fear.

God of peace stir our hearts to stand in solidarity with all whose rights are daily violated.  Confirm in us our commitments to justice.

Song: Senzenina (What have we done?)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fDU1PYWT8A

 

Responsive Psalm 126

When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.

Then our mouth was filled with laughter,

And our tongue with shouts of joy;

then it was said among the nations,

“The Lord has done great things for them.”

 

The Lord has done great things for us, and we rejoiced.

Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like the watercourses in the Negeb.

 

May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy.

Those who go out weeping,
bearing the seed for sowing,

shall come home with shouts of joy,
carrying their sheaves.

Glory be to the Father, and the to Son, and the Holy Spirit;

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

 

Scripture Reading: Numbers 27:1-11

 

Reflection - Rev. Lilana Kasper, ACT Alliance Africa, Gender Equality and Justice Community of Practice

 

Prayers of Intercession

 

Gracious God, we thank you for the transformation that your love provokes. We thank you for the table fellowship that touches and unites the hearts of guests and hosts and opens up a new reality.

God in your mercy, hear our prayer

We pray for the churches that they be a welcoming community. Help us to know how to offer table fellowship for different people and to become a space for transformation.

God in your mercy, hear our prayer

We pray for the initiatives in mission and diakonia that nourish and provide holistic service to those who hunger and thirst.  We pray for reconciliation – among families, people and nations. We pray for the church, led by the Spirit, to be a worshiping, messenger, serving, healing and oikumene community.

God in your mercy, hear our prayer

Spirit of justice; though our circumstances and traditions are many, still we stand with you on the side of those who have been disempowered and silenced, and we bless you for your transcendent Presence that makes us one voice, lifted across countless halls of power and privilege, to lift up your people. Help us—to live more fully into the vision of equity in which the voices of the vulnerable are those heard first and last.

God in your mercy, hear our prayer

 

The Lord’s Prayer – in our own languages

 

Blessing

As we close our prayer at this Human Rights Day:

May the blessing of the God of peace and justice be with us;

May the blessing of the Son who weeps the tears of the world’s suffering be with us;

And may the blessing of the Spirit who inspires us to reconciliation and hope be with us; for now into eternity. Amen.