Prayer Service of Justice and Healing, General Synod, 2023

General Synod Theme: “Making All Things New”
Bible Verse: “Do not remember the former things or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:18-19
Timing: 30 minutes. Entire text as written takes 5 minutes, response times as noted in red.
 
Bolded Text read by the congregation
Text read by Worship Leader
Prayers and other Responses may be lead by one or more leaders/participants
…

Begin with Video  “Disturb Us O Lord”

Sovereign One, meet us in the garden, we have some growing to do.

We are so eager to forget the former things, when it comes to the sins of our past, 
and so slow to set aside the things of old, even when they no longer serve us.

We bury the living, 
while clutching close the rotting remains of our earthly treasures.
	(pause)
Yet, still, you invite us to trust in you.

Will you renew us? Will you make us new?

Prayerful Response: (3 minutes)
Lead a prayer for the world.
	
Sovereign One, meet us in the garden, we have some weeding to do.

We, your church, have not loved you with our whole heart, soul, and mind. 
The world has come to know us as your disciples not by our love for one another, 
but by our hatred. 

We have allowed your Holy Name to be forged into a weapon to wound.
We have wielded it against others based on their race, gender, relationships, 
size, class, ability, and so many other arbitrary differences.
	(pause)
Yet, still, you invite us to be your people.

Will you renew us? Will you make us new?

Prayerful Response: (3 minutes)
Lead a prayer for the UCC and the global church and/or your local church and the wider church

Sovereign One, meet us in the garden, we have some planting to do.

We, your church, have not loved our neighbors.
We have allowed our understanding of community
to be limited by zoning ordinances 
instead of showing mercy to all on the road to Jericho.

We have hoarded resources,
while the children next door peer hungrily through our windows. 
	(pause)
Yet, still, you invite us to live with compassion.

Will you renew us? Will you make us new?

Prayerful Response: (6-8 minutes)
Pray with someone seated near you for the needs in your own community.
Online participants are invited to enter their prayers in the comments, chat, or email

Sovereign One, meet us in the garden, we have some watering to do.

We have not been wise stewards of the creation you entrusted to us.
You have provided everything we need for all to thrive. 

But we rip apart the earth to fuel the excesses of our age, 
while the workers in the fields scrape by on our scraps, 
and the rivers choke on our garbage.
	(pause)
Yet, still, you invite us to be caretakers and co-creators.

Will you renew us? Will you make us new?

Prayerful Response: (3 minutes)
Personal Reflection (Instrumental Music) 

Sovereign One, meet us in the garden, we have some resting to do.

We admit that we have not kept Sabbath with you.
The fields of our souls have been depleted by the cult of productivity
that has no regard for the holy integrity of our beings.

We have disregarded the biodiversity of our disparate needs.
We have not loved ourselves enough to honor our own boundaries.
	(pause)
Yet, still, you invite us to remember that we are wonderfully made.

Will you renew us? Will you make us new?

Prayerful Response: (3 minutes)
Take a moment to reflect on the following questions and make note of your answers.
•	What is Spirit asking me to set aside in this season?
•	Where is Spirit inviting me to notice something new beginning to bloom?

Sovereign One, meet us in the garden, we have some healing to do.

Even before we asked, you had already answered:

You are about to do a new thing; 
now it springs forth, do we not perceive it? 

You will make a way in the wilderness 
and rivers in the desert.

You are making all things new.

Sovereign One, you renew us. Sovereign One, you make us new.
Amen.

Music “God Will Meet You There” by Mia McClain (Video available for download at https://www.ucc.org/synod33-worship/)

Charge

Prayer Service of Justice and Healing written by Amy G. S. A. Brooks with editorial support by Cheryl A. Lindsay for General Synod 34 and use by UCC local churches.