Litany for the Suffering

LITANY FOR THE SUFFERING W W W . B T P B A S E . O R G | C U R A T I N G T H E O L O G I C A L R E S O U R C E S F O R B L A C K L I V E S L i t a ny a uthore d by R ev. D r. S us a n K . S m i th Leader: God, we know that You can do all things and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. People: You created us all; we are precious in Your sight. Leader: And yet, God, there is great pain and suffering in the land. Some of Your children are crying out to you; others are so filled with pain and suffering that they cannot call on Your name. People: We do not understand why there is so much suffering; we do not understand why so often, it is the poorest who suffer most. Leader: There was a hurricane named Harvey and then a flood that violated the state of Texas and threw her people into suffering. There was a mudslide in Sierra Leone that left too many of Your children dead, buried in the mud. People: Your people are suffering because too many of them have lost everything and don’t have anywhere to go. Lord, in Your mercy, hear us. Leader: There is a hurricane named Irma which is devastating some islands in the Caribbean and is headed toward Miami. People: There will be more suffering. Leader: There was an major earthquake in Mexico and a Tsunami may come. People: There will be more suffering. Leader: The leader of the free world rescinded an act of compassion that helped children of undocumented parents. People: There will be more suffering. Leader: Job suffered, and toward the end of his suffering he called out to you and asked You to hear him. People: The people are crying to You, asking You to hear them. Leader: God, how can we represent You in this time of great suffering? What would You have us say and do to show people that You are with them, no matter how alone they feel?