Short Prayer Service - The Cry of the Poor

The Cry of the Poor

Leader: Loving God, open our hearts and minds to your presence in one another. We call on your assistance and wisdom as we strive to serve the many needs of people in our communities especially those who are poor and without hope. As we gather this day to discuss and reflect on Poverty in America: A Threat to the Common Good send your Spirit and open our minds and hearts to new possibilities for service, advocacy and collaboration, we ask this in the name of your son, Jesus. Amen.

All: The Lord will reign forever: come let us praise God in prayer and song.

Song: Psalm 34: The Cry of the Poor

Refrain: The Lord hears the cry of the poor. Blessed be the Lord

1. I will bless the Lord at all times, with praise ever in my mouth. Let my soul glory in the Lord, who will hear the cry of the poor. R/
2. Let the lowly hear and be glad: the Lord listens to their pleas; and to hearts broken, God in near, who will hear the cry of the poor. R/
3. Every spirit crushed, God will save; will be ransom for their lives; will be safe shelter for their fears, and will hear the cry of the poor. R/
4. We proclaim your greatness, O God, your praise ever in our mouth; every face brightened in your light, for you hear the cry of the poor. R/
   John Foley, GIA Comprehensive, GIA, 2004 (Song #33)
   Used with Permission

Reading: James 2:14-16

Invite group to share thoughts on reading

Intercessions: Through the intercession of St. Vincent de Paul and St. Louise de Marilac, two exemplary models of service to the poor, we pray: Response:

Fill us with your love, O Lord!
For the hungry, that we may find the means to feed them: R/
For the naked, that we may find the means to clothe them: R/
For the homeless, that we may find the means to shelter them: R/
For our donors and volunteers in thanksgiving for their support and dedication: R/

Personal Intentions

Leader: Let us say the Our Father together
Leader: May the Lord bless us in all our services and undertakings. Amen.

Song: Anthem
Refrain: We are called, we are chosen. We are Christ for one another. We are promised to tomorrow, while we are for him today. We are sign, we are wonder. We are sower, we are seed. We are harvest, we are hunger. We are question, we are creed.

1. Then where can we stand justified? In what can we believe? In no one else but Christ who suffered, nothing more than Christ who rose. Who was justice for the poor. Who was rage against the night. Who was hope for peaceful people. Who was light. R/
2. Then how are we to stand at all, this world of bended knee? In nothing more than barren shadows. No one else but Christ could save us. Who was justice for the poor. Who was rage against the night. Who was hope for peaceful people. Who was light.
3. Then shall we not stand empty at the altar of our dreams: When Christ promised us ourselves. Who mark time against tomorrow. Who are justice for the poor. Who are rage against the night. Who are hope for peaceful people. Who are light.
   Tom Conry, GIA Comprehensive, GIA, 2004 (Song #681)
   Used with Permission