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Litany of Thanksgiving in the Midst of Empire

Written by Mark Van Steenwyk : November 26, 2008

Sisters and brothers, rejoice! We live sustained by the presence of the Humble God.

Thanks be to God.

God the Father, source of all life,

Thanks be to God.

God the Son, giver of hope,

Thanks be to God.

God the Spirit, voice of love.

Thanks be to God!

As we lament over the wounds of this land

God weeps with us.

As we give thanks for those who live faithfully in Babylon

God gives thanks with us.

As we struggle for justice

God struggles with us.

As we strive for peace

God strives with us.

As we seek to cut the root of Empire from our hearts

God works in us.

As we give our possessions and gifts away

God blesses us.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give God thanks and praise.

God of all nations, we praise you for your faithful servants who’ve done justice, loved mercy, and walked humbly with you, their God.

May we be counted among them, O God.

For apostles, martyrs, leaders, and saints, and for humble folk whose names are lost but you’ve remembered in the book of life.

We give you thanks, O God.

For nameless multitudes who suffer violence and oppression; who are beaten, raped, or murdered; and for the nameless multitudes today whose lives are maimed by economic and social structures that dehumanize.

We grieve and promise to work for justice, O God.

In the midst of Empire we recognize our inadequacy. We cry out for the power of your Holy Spirit.

Spirit, fill our lungs with prophetic speech, and animate our limbs to work justice.

We cry out to your Son, whose love for humanity led to a cross.

May we walk in your path, Brother Jesus.

God, source of life, sustain us.

In the name of Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Mark Van Steenwyk is the general editor of Jesus Manifesto. He is a Mennonite pastor (Missio Dei in Minneapolis), writer, speaker, and grassroots educator. He lives in South Minneapolis with his wife (Amy), son (Jonas) and some of their friends.


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Comments

Viewing 3 Comments

    • ^
    • v
    Fill our lungs, animate our limbs and I would add, seed our imagination.

    I'm finding the biggest barrier to me is lack of imagination in seeking God's will, followed closely by an unwillingness to do some of what I can envision.
    • ^
    • v
    Wonderful. One thing I love the most with New Monasticists is their litanies and worship... the world needs some alternative prayers than wath the Pharisee church gives them.

    Just one word: Amen.
    • ^
    • v
    i second that about new monasticists and great litanies!!!

    and I second the one word:

    AMEN!
 

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