Liturgy: Prayer of Lamentation in response to Amos 5:4-8,10-15

(Please feel free to use this resource.  Credit:  Rev. Murray Speer.)

Prayer of Lamentation and Unburdening

We want to seek you, O Holy One, God of All.

That is why we are here today.

We want to seek abundant life and your kingdom of peace and joy.

But so often life is difficult, even beyond the telling of it.

Forgive us for the times when we have acted unjustly,

because our pain made us blind to the pain of others.

Turn our bitterness into blessings,

and bring our dusty spirits to life.

We want to see all your people living in justice and harmony.

But so often we seek security in the things that we should be giving away.

Forgive us for the times when he have lived selfishly,

because our fear made us put our faith in the wrong things.

Turn our bitterness into blessings,

and bring our dusty spirits to life.

We want to transform ourselves in your image.

But so often we sit back and wait for you to come to us.

Forgive us for the times when we have done nothing,

because we have been made to feel powerless.

Turn our bitterness into blessings,

and bring our dusty spirits to life.

Amen.

Words of Assurance and Promise

People of God,

The prophet speaks in both anger and hope, but the moment we turn aside from unjust ways the anger of God is nowhere to be found.  God’s love is sufficient to sustain the entire world, and we have nothing to fear.  Thanks be to the Holy One.