A Litany For Slain By Gun Violence in
TX
Nov. 6, 2017
Leader: A sound is heard in
Ramah, the sound of bitter weeping. Rachel is weeping for
her children. She refuses to be comforted, for they are
dead.
Assembly: We pray for the families of
the victims who have been slain by gun violence.
Leader: A sound is heard in every
city. Communities are weeping generationally for their
elders, children and loved ones. Our sons, like Emmett
Till, Treyvon Martin. Our brothers, like Ezell Ford, Michael
Brown and John Crawford. Our daughters, like Ayanna Jones,
Miriam Carey. Our sisters, like Malisa Williams and Tarika
Wilson.
Assembly: As people of God, we weep for
the lives of all of God’s children who instead of enjoying
the sweetness of innocence become victims of hate, victims
of war, and victims of violence.
Leader: Now, let us rise up and
interrupt these rushing waters of violence that leave
children and communities wounded and paralyzed, traumatized
by internal disintegration and state terror. Let us rise up
and demand this nation abandon its affair with beliefs,
practices and laws that are rooted in militarism.
Assembly: We will rise up against laws
rooted in evil that have no concern for life, nor any
concern for God’s love. We will rise up until justice rolls
on like a river and righteousness like a never- failing
stream.
Leader: Oh Lord, we commit
ourselves to seeing all of your people the way that you see
them. No matter their age or race, they are precious gifts
made in your image, created with transformative purpose and
unlimited promise.
Assembly And for that cause, we pledge
to be hedges of protection for their lives, we pledge to
stand against anything that threatens their potential or
promise.
All: We embody the universal
spirit of Ubuntu, “I am because we are and because we
are, I am.” We are all Rachel crying for the children!
Therefore, we pledge to lock arms in solidarity with the
families of the slain. We pledge to let our voices be heard
all over this nation and the world, for we know we are
called to do what is just and right.
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