Last Sunday after Epiphany 2026

Prayers of Lament
God of all , we confess that we have inherited a faith that was used to
justify the theft of native lands and the enslavement of your people.
Forgive us for where we have failed to understand, Lord and in
your mercy, set us free.

Touch hearts that have been shriveled by generations of suppressed
empathy, and eyes that have lost the ability to see brothers and sisters
who suffer from systematic injustice.

For us for where we have failed to understand, Lord, and in your
mercy, set us free.

Grant us courage to renounce the false teaching that we can somehow
know you without being committed to justice for all people.

Forgive us for where we have failed to understand, Lord, and in
your mercy, set us free.

In your mercy, help us to mourn the divisions among the body of your
Son and work for healing in the places where we gather to worship you
Forgive us for where we have failed to understand, Lord, and in
your mercy, set us free.

As we name and unlearn the habits of racism, discrimination, and
prejudice give us grace to draw deeply from the witness of the
movements that have always resisted injustice in the power of the
Spirit.

Forgive us for where we have failed to understand, Lord, and in
your mercy, set us free.

We pray with thanksgiving for the prophetic leaders who guide, challenge
and inspire us today. Give us grace to follow them to freedom.

Forgive us for where we have failed to understand, Lord, and in
your mercy, set us free.

We pray for all victims of racial hatred and discrimination, and we seek
your protection for those affected in our churches, our schools, our
places of work and our communities. Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.

We pray for all victims of racial hatred and discrimination, and we seek
your protection for those affected in our churches, our schools, our
places of work and our communities. Lord, in your mercy.
Hear our prayer.

We pray for all in our world, of whatever race, who suffer the horrors
of modern slavery. Your Son came to bring good news to the poor and
freedom for the oppressed. We pray for all working to combat modern
slavery and to end human trafficking: for governments and agencies,
for Church and other faith leaders, for businesses charities and
individuals. Lord, in your mercy.
Hear our prayer.

We pray for ourselves. May we be voices against oppression and
channels of transforming power of the gospel. Open our hearts to all
who suffer in our midst but out of sight. Help us to work for a world
where human beings are valued, where no one is enslaved, and no one
used against their will for another’s pleasure or need. Lord, in your
mercy.
Hear our prayer.

We pray that we may know the power of reconciliation. Wherever
there is division between us and others, because of our race or
ethnicity, we pray that we may all be led to reconciliation. We pray for
all who work to bring communities together in ways that are just and
equal for all. Lord, in your mercy.
Hear our prayer.

As we pray for reconciliation, we pray also for restoration. We pray for
those whose spirits and communities have been weighed down by
racism. Guide us as we strive to ensure everyone has equal dignity.
Lord, in your mercy.
Hear our prayer.

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