A Litany to Remember Those in Pain and to Pray for Healing
(adapted from Sexuality and Our Faith for Grades 7-9, 1st ed., UCC section)

VOICE ONE:  Every day someone is told that they are ugly.  Every day someone is told that they are stupid.  Every day someone is told that they are worthless.

(Extinguish one candle)

VOICE ONE:  Hear us now, God, as we lift up to you, either out loud or silently, the names of those we know who have suffered this.  After each name is spoken, let the people say, “Heal us, O God.”

(allow 10-15 seconds of silence if no one speaks)

VOICE TWO:   Every 15 minutes a woman is raped.  One in six boys is molested by the time he reaches age 16.  Every day someone’s sexual health is assaulted and violated.  

(Extinguish one candle)

VOICE TWO:  Hear us now, God, as we lift up to you, either out loud or silently, the names of those we know who have suffered this.  After each name is spoken, let the people say, “Heal us, O God.”

(allow 10-15 seconds of silence if no one speaks)

VOICE THREE:  Hundreds of children are born each year to people who cannot care for them or who do not want them.  The fastest growing area of new HIV cases is young people in their twenties who contracted the disease in their teens by not practicing safer sex.  Everywhere, there are people who do not, or do not know how to, take responsibility for their own sexuality.  

(Extinguish one candle)

VOICE THREE:  Hear us now, God, as we lift up to you, either out loud or silently, the names of those we know who have suffered this.  After each name is spoken, let the people say, “Heal us, O God.”

(allow 10-15 seconds of silence if no one speaks)

VOICE FOUR:  Each day thousands of people are subjected to sexist remarks or jokes.  Every day people are made fun of because they do not act according to gender norms.  In schools and workplaces around the world, people are sexually harassed.  The battle continues to rage in our society over reproductive rights.  Justice is not served.

(Extinguish one candle)

VOICE FOUR:  Hear us now, God, as we lift up to you, either out loud or silently, the names of those we know who have suffered this.  After each name is spoken, let the people say, “Heal us, O God.”

(allow 10-15 seconds of silence if no one speaks)

VOICE FIVE:  In cities and towns all over the world, gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people are harassed and discriminated against because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.  Racially diverse couples are harassed.  People in wheelchairs and with other physical or mental challenges are treated as if they have no sexuality.

(Extinguish one candle)

VOICE FIVE:  Hear us now, God, as we lift up to you, either out loud or silently, the names of those we know who have suffered this.  After each name is spoken, let the people say, “Heal us, O God.”

(allow 10-15 seconds of silence if no one speaks)

LEADER:  God, give us the strength to work for the self-worth of all your people [re-light candle], to work for the sexual health for all your people[re-light candle], to take responsibility for our own sexuality[re-light candle], to work for justice and to strive to be inclusive of all your people[re-light candle].  Help us keep your light alive in our world[re-light candle].  Amen.