For Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany
ELCA World Hunger Prayers and Litanies
Here are some ways to focus your congregation's worship on hunger ministry during specific parts of the service. You may copy these prayers and litanies and paste them into your worship bulletin or other resource in your congregation, as long as the source ( see information below ) is cited.
Litany
L: In this season of shining hope, let us call to mind the prophet's vision:
If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted,
C: Your light shall rise in the darkness and your gloom be like the noon day. [Isaiah 58:10a-b]
L: Let us pray. God of tender compassion: Hear the cry of your children whose hope is faint. Lord, in mercy,
C: Make bright our gloom and fill the hungry with every good thing.
L: Ruler of all nations, prince of peace: Bring an end to violence and the starvation linked with war. Lord, in mercy,
C: Make bright our gloom and fill the hungry with every good thing.
L: Promised Savior, who will faithfully bring forth justice: Overturn oppression and greed; raise up those whom the world has brought low. Lord, in mercy,
C: Make bright our gloom and fill the hungry with every good thing.
L: Holy child, stable-born: Provide warm shelter for the homeless poor, and help us to see you in every guest. Lord, in mercy,
C: Make bright our gloom and fill the hungry with every good thing.
L: Infant of Bethlehem, brought in haste to Egypt: Console all driven from home by cruel threat, and protect all who must wander in search of refuge. Lord, in mercy,
C: Make bright our gloom and fill the hungry with every good thing.
L: O God, you have remembered your promise of mercy, you have come to dwell among us, and you have revealed your glory. Pour out upon us the Spirit of your love, that we might pour ourselves out for the hungry and reveal your care to the afflicted. In the name of Jesus we pray;
C: Amen.
Seasonal Prayers
Advent
Chosen One of God, ever patient with bruised reed and dimly burning wick: Forgive our failings toward those in need. Strengthen and renew us, that as we are able we might offer care. This we ask as we wait in hope for your coming; Amen.
Christmas
God, whose giving knows no end: Cause us to treasure your Word made flesh, and fill us with your own gracious Spirit, that we too might share generously of our gifts. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Epiphany
God, whose glory is manifest among the nations: Open our hearts to sisters and brothers across this earth; allow us to recognize and receive the gifts they offer. In Jesus' name, Amen.\
God, whose wonders are everlasting: As you transformed water into wine at the wedding feast in Cana, so transform our lives, that we might be poured out for the sake of gladness and beauty, feasting and joy, Amen.
Table Prayers
Advent I (A)
Blessed are you, O Lord our God, Sovereign of the ages. In the darkness of the world, you give us light. Amid hunger and want, you give us food. Blessed be God forever! May we with all the human race come up to your holy mountain where your loaves and fishes will feed the starving world, and all shall praise your name forever. Amen.
Advent III (A)
Blessed are you, O Lord our God. You are a river in the desert; you are a crocus in the wilderness. You give us food for this table; blessed be God forever. That all the world may come singing into Zion, we beg you, O Lord our God, that you be water in all deserts and food for all the world's wilderness. So may everyone praise your holy name. Amen.
Christmas I (C)
O God, by the birth of your Son you gave joy to Simeon and Anna in the temple. We too are radiant over your goodness, and we praise you for this food and drink. May we join with saints of old to proclaim your saving goodness by feeding the needy with your bounty, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Holy Innocents, Martyrs (A)
For the food we are about to receive, O Lord, make us truly thankful. For the suffering ones whose cries we hear, O Lord, make us willing ministers. That in celebration of the birth of Jesus all children may eat and live, we beg for your generosity, O Lord. Amen.
Christmas II (B)
O Lord, we greatly rejoice: Our souls exult in you. You cause the earth to bring forth food: We eat and are glad. And we beg you to cause righteousness to grow forth from the world that all peoples may live in strength and safety, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Baptism of Our Lord (A)
Bless this food with your Spirit, O God of our Salvation, that it may fill us with the life which only you can grant. Bless our lives with your Spirit, O God of the world's salvation, that we may be anointed to serve all who cry for justice in the land; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Transfiguration of Our Lord (C)
O God, Splendor of the universe, in the radiance of your Son you have enlightened the world. We long to see you face to face, and we call you to this table to bless us with your presence. May we see your face in the faces of the poor, and eat with them so as to dine with you, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Source: These litanies and prayers are taken from "Pour Yourself Out for the Hungry: A Resource for Worship," ©1993 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (currently out of print but reproduced here in its entirety).
Table prayers have been selected and reprinted from "Blessing and Beseeching: Prayers on Food and Hunger" (LCA, 1985-1987) by Gail Ramshaw.