Litany for Aleppo

Let us not forget that welcoming, learning from, and establishing justice for refugees is at the very core of our Christian faith.  Let this prayer guide and reflect our actions for justice.

A Litany of Prayer for Aleppo

 

We turn to you, O Lord. To whom else can we go? Lord, hear our prayer for the people of Aleppo and let our cry come to you.

O God the Father, Creator of heaven and earth

Have mercy upon Aleppo.

O God the Son, Redeemer of the world

Have mercy upon Aleppo.

O God the Holy Spirit, Sanctifier of the faithful

Have mercy upon Aleppo.

O holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, one God

Have mercy upon Aleppo.

Holy Mary, Mother of God

Pray for them.

St. Michael, St. Gabriel, St. Raphael, St. Uriel

Defend and protect them in the day of battle.

All you holy Archangels, Angels and bodiless powers of heaven

Be at their side to guide and guard them on their way.

All you holy Saints of God

Intercede for them.

All you faithful Martyrs

Stand beside them.

For the displaced, homeless, and refugees of Syria,

Loving God, accompany them as you accompanied your refugee Son on his flight to Egypt.

For all refugees who have left their land and know not where they will go,

Loving God, guide them to the green pastures and lead them beside still waters.

For all refugees walking though the valley of the shadow of death,

Loving God, be their Good Shepherd, let them fear no evil, and comfort them with your rod and your staff.

For all refugees who hunger and thirst,

Loving God, prepare a table before them and let their cups run over.

For all refugees looking to the past and what has been lost and left behind,

Loving God, let your goodness and mercy follow them all the days of their lives.

For all refugees who long to go home,

Loving God, give them hope, restore their souls, and let them dwell in your house forever.

From death, injury, and illness

Defend and protect them, Sovereign Lord.
From all danger, violence, oppression, and degradation

Defend and protect them, Sovereign Lord.
From fear, despair, and suffering

Defend and protect them, Sovereign Lord.

With fervent prayer                                                                     Sustain and strengthen them, O Christ.
With steadfast faith,                                                                    Sustain and strengthen them, O Christ.
With unwavering hope                                                                Sustain and strengthen them, O Christ.
With enduring love                                                                      Sustain and strengthen them, O Christ.
With courageous hearts                                                              Sustain and strengthen them, O Christ.
With persevering wills                                                                Sustain and strengthen them, O Christ.

With food, water, and safe shelter                                          Sustain and strengthen them, O Christ.
With open borders and welcoming hearts                            Sustain and strengthen them, O Christ.
With new friends and neighbors                                             Sustain and strengthen them, O Christ.

 

To all who have died in the Syrian crisis and all who are dying in Aleppo,

Rest eternal grant to them, O Lord; let light perpetual shine upon them. May their souls, through your mercy, rest in peace.

For all who grieve the death of family or friends,

Remember them in your mercy, nourish them with patience, comfort them with a sense of your goodness, lift up your countenance upon them, and give them peace.

To those bringing humanitarian aid and providing medical assistance,

Give your strength and protection.

To the leaders of the nations and the President and Congress of the United States:

Give humility and guide them in the ways of peace and justice.

To all who work for unity, peace, concord, and the freedom of all people:

Give wisdom, creativity, and perseverance.

To all who look on from afar in the security of distance,

Give tears of compassion, fervent prayer, and generosity of giving.

To all who live in safety, comfort, and privilege,

Let them show forth your praise not only with their lips but in their lives.

Give us your grace and the will to overcome fear, violence, prejudice, and hatred,

That we may love one another as ourselves.

Open the borders of our hearts and minds,

That we may receive each refugee as the Christ.

For our actions, failures, or indifferences that have contributed to the suffering in Syria,

Lord have mercy and forgive us.

For our times of silence that became complicity,

Lord have mercy and forgive us.

For political or economic interests and agendas that blinded us to human suffering and need,

Lord have mercy and forgive us.

Let there be no peace in the hearts of those who pray for Syria,

Until there is peace in the heart of Syria.

For all that is gracious in the lives of men and women everywhere, revealing your image and likeness,

We thank you, Good Lord.

Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal One,

Have mercy upon us.

Lord, hear our prayer,

Let our cry come to you.

O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

“A Litany for Aleppo” is a prayer written by Michael K. Marsh, an Episcopal Priest from Texas. The prayer has been posted to Daily Theology with Michael’s permission.

 

“Then he will say to those at his left hand, ‘You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?’ Then he will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’” – Matthew 25:41-45

 

“For all our differences and disagreements, we can live in a world of peace. In opposing every attempt to create a rigid uniformity, we can and must build unity on the basis of our diversity of languages, cultures and religions, and lift our voices against everything which would stand in the way of such unity.” – Pope Francis