Living Psalms Book
Psalms in the form of words and art, reborn in the specific contexts of our world, privileging the voices of historically marginalized communities and those acting in solidarity with them.

Living Psalm 72: Festival of Epiphany C
January 6

God who is all-knowing,
who trusts in us to be all-fixing

God who is mighty Redeemer,
who is vulnerable and dependent

God who lives within
a mother with a story to tell
a father fighting doubt in his heart
a baby at the mercy of tyrants

God who is in us at the lowest -
wall building, child caging, 
enemy provoking, ally enraging,
environment destroying -
we beseech You

When the leaders set before us fail,
when those we elect prove corruptible, 
ignorant, at war with all we hold dear, give us faith. 
Carve out of our fear and indignation the strength to lead, 
and the humility to listen to those oppressed.
Give us hope in the faith of our neighbors, 
in the good word spoken by all those 
who embrace the title Servant. 

Remind us, God, that no tyrant lives forever
on this earth - but in every generation, we find angels 
and shepherds, magi, and those with faith strong enough 
to travel to new lands, to trust in strangers, to give themselves 
over to the mercy of God and to all those who rejoice
in being God’s hands and feet for justice.

Living Psalm 72:   for Festival of Epiphany C, was written by Maria Mankin.

Living Psalms Book is created by UCC Witness & Worship Artists’ Group, a Network of UCC connected artists, activists and ministers bridging the worship and liturgy of the local church with witness and action in the community.  

Logo is detail from Living Psalm 80 by Sophia Beardemphl, Redwoods, CA. Recovering from significant bullying, Sophia, age nine, read Psalm 80 and  thought of brokenness that needs mending. She drew this broken and mended bowl.

© Copyright 2018  Maria Mankin.  Permission granted to reproduce or adapt this material for use in services of worship or church education.  All publishing rights reserved.