Transfigured by the Light of God
Litany for Racial Justice Sunday
Second Sunday of February

ONE:  God of Light, God of Change,

            you fashion each of us in your image,

            reflecting the presence of your Spirit and

            fullness of your grace. 

            You call us into being as whole persons;

            you call us into community to be one in you.

            Yet too often we choose to see others as less than ourselves

            because of the color of their skin.

ALL:   Light of God transfigure us that we may live as one.

ONE:  You invite us into right relationship with you. 

            You invite us to love you whom we have not seen;

            but how can we love you

            when we are unable to love those we see? 

            How can we love you

            when we cannot love those who are clear reflections of you?

ALL:   Light of God transfigure us that we may mirror you.

ONE:  We are one in you O God, who created us all. 

            We are all sisters and brothers, walking in the light of your love. 

            Help us to love our neighbors even more than we love ourselves.

ALL:   Light of God transfigure us that we may love each other.

ONE:  Your Spirit dwells among us, giving us all freedom. 

            Yet too often we succumb to the sin of racism.

            Forgive us for attitudes of superiority which result in oppression;

            forgive us for binding others within structures of racism and injustice,

            and so abandoning your beloved ones to wildernesses of degradation.

ALL:   Light of God transfigure us that we may be vessels of freedom.

ONE:  We look around the world and witness

            the economic injustices facing people of color. 

            Too often we stand idly by as men, women and children you created

            are left to die without food, without shelter and without healthcare.

ALL:   Light of God transfigure us that we may work for justice.

ONE:  Forgive us for daring to think we are better than others. 

            Forgive us for not seeing your face reflected in the faces of all humankind. 

            Forgive us for not living your commandment to love each other.

ALL:   Light of God transfigure us that we may reflect your truth.

ONE:  All around us we see, hear, speak, taste and feel

            the fear and hatred that are the roots of racism.

             Provide us with the courage to care,

            the vision to imagine a new relationship,

            the wisdom to speak out,

            and the passion to stand up and be heard

            in our protests and cries for freedom.

ALL:   Light of God transfigure us that we may be instruments of change.

ONE:  Open our hearts and lives to your transforming light.

            Open our mouths to speak the truth on behalf of people of color

            who continue to be marginalized by the many facets of racism.

ALL:   Light of God transfigure us from one degree of glory to another.

ONE:  God of Light, God of Change

            open our hearts and minds

            to embrace equality and justice for all people around the world. 

            Create in us the desire to bring change in our world. 

            Unveil our hearts so that your light may shine through us.

ALL:   Light of God transfigure us!

            There is yet more of your light and truth

            to break forth from among us.

Transfigured by the Light of God was written by the Rev. Karen Georgia A. Thompson, Minister for Racial Justice with Justice and Witness Ministries of the United Church of Christ.

Copyright 2010 Local Church Ministries, Congregational Vitality and Discipleship Ministry Team, United Church of Christ, 700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, OH  44115-1100.  Permission granted to reproduce or adapt this material for use in services of worship or church education.  All publishing rights reserved.