God of all, we praise you for the life that you give us,
even when we cling to it by no more than our fingertips
and, in Jesus’ name, we protest the inequality created by human greed. Amen.

O God, how long? How long must we wait to see your justice lifted high? How long must we groan under oppression and injustice? The poor get poorer, and the rich get richer. Help us to sing a new song. Help us, through your Holy Spirit, to sing your song of a world renewed, of dignity freely given, of right living between sibling and sibling. But it begins with me. It begins with my willingness to partner with the God of all the earth. Help us to see the riches you have placed within us and let us add our voices to the song all creation longs to sing.
Then our souls shall truly magnify the Lord,
today and always.
Amen.

God of grace and hope,
Where the warmth of a smile eclipses the sinister sneer –
Let hope stand triumphant.
Where an act of kindness
undermines an evil deed –
Let hope stand triumphant.
Where a word of peace
silences the terrorist’s threat –
Let hope stand triumphant.
Where difference is diversity
in place of disunity –
Let hope stand triumphant.
Where youth is innocent
and age is wisdom –
Let hope stand triumphant.
Where love is real
and faith is kindled –
Let hope stand triumphant.
Praying that praise and protest
would be partners in our living and in our praying,
that your kingdom may come among us.
Amen.