After the mass shootings in Dayton, OH last weekend, this litany was offered at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Columbus, OH. I received permission from Pastor Chris Eldridge to share the litany. It is my hope that the litany would encourage the members of our Dayton area churches, knowing their community was in the prayers of their brothers and sisters. In addition, we may have congregations who want to offer this litany this weekend.
Litany of Lament
P: O Lord, we come before You again.
C: Brokenhearted.
P: O Lord, we come before You again.
C: Saying, “Not again.”
P: O Lord, we come before You again.
C: Crying at the loss of life and violence.
P: O Lord, we come before You again.
C: How much more must we endure?
P: O Lord,
C: Be with all whose lives have been shattered.
P: O Lord,
C: Lift our eyes to the hills!
P: O Lord,
C: Because of Your great love we are not consumed.
P: O Lord,
C: You are near the broken-hearted.
P: O Jesus,
C: You carried our sorrows.
P: O Jesus,
C: You wept.
P: O Jesus,
C: You carry us through the waters and fires.
P: O Jesus,
C: We cry out, “Return again!”
P: O Jesus,
C: You are the victorious one.
P: O Jesus,
C: Through You, we have consolation and victory.
P: O evil one,
C: You have not won.
P: O evil one,
C: We condemn you.
P: O evil one,
C: Your ways will not destroy us or this world because of Christ Jesus.
P: Therefore, we do not lose heart.
C: For Christ is our light.
P: Therefore, we do not lose heart.
C: For Christ is the light that shines in the darkness.
P: Therefore, we do not lose heart.
C: For Christ is the light that has not and cannot be overcome.
P: Therefore, we do not lose heart.
C: Lord, in Your mercy:
P: Hear our prayer.
C: Christ, in Your mercy:
P: Hear our prayer.
C: Lord, in Your mercy:
P: Hear our prayer.
All: Amen!
Kevin Wilson 360 