Prayers of lamentation for Zimbabwe

The following service is a simple service based on Bible verses, simple prayers and times of silence. It works well for midday as the service lasts approximately 15 minutes. A short sung response is included, this is from the ecumenical hymbook Thuma Mina but a Taizé chant could work equally well. Of course these prayers can be adapted for use in other situations, these were originally put together for midday prayers for peace during the war in the Lebannon in 2006.

Prayers of Lamentation for peace, justice and reconciliation in Zimbabwe

Silence

How lonely sits the citythat once was full of people!How like a widow she has become,she that was great among the nations!She that was a princess among the provinceshas become a vassal. (Lamentations 1.1)

Song: Nkosi, nkosi yibanceba Krestu, Krestu yibanceba

Blessed is our God now and for ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen

A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping.
Rachel is weeping for her children;
she refuses to be comforted for her children,
because they are no more. (Jer 31:15)

Even when I cry out, "Violence!' I am not answered;
I call aloud, but there is no justice. (Job 19:7)

Silence

For these things I weep;my eyes flow with tears;for a comforter is far from me,one to revive my courage;my children are desolate,for the enemy has prevailed. (Lamentations 1.16)

Song: Nkosi, nkosi yibanceba Krestu, Krestu yibanceba

Remember this, O Lord, how the enemy scoffs, and an impious people reviles your name. Do not deliver the soul of your dove to the wild animals; do not forget the life of your poor forever. Have regard for your covenant, for the dark places of the land are full of the haunts of violence. Do not let the downtrodden be put to shame; let the poor and needy praise your name. Rise up, O God, plead your cause; remember how the impious scoff at you all day long. (Ps 74:18-22)

Remember this, O Lord,
Remember this, O Lord

Silence

My eyes are spent with weeping;my stomach churns;my bile is poured out on the groundbecause of the destruction of my people,because infants and babes faintin the streets of the city. (Lamentations 2.11)

Song: Nkosi, nkosi yibanceba Krestu, Krestu yibanceba

Remember this, O Lord,
Remember this, O Lord.

Do not let the downtrodden be put to shame.
Do not let the downtrodden be put to shame.

Rise up, O God.
Rise up, O God.

Silence

They cry to their mothers,‘Where is bread and wine?’as they faint like the woundedin the streets of the city,as their life is poured outon their mothers’ bosom. (Lamentations 2.12)

Song: Nkosi, nkosi yibanceba Krestu, Krestu yibanceba

Prayers for the enemy (from the Eastern Orthodox tradition)
O Christ, Our God, who prayed for those who crucified You, and asked us, your servants, to pray for our enemies; forgive those who hate and oppress us and, through Your Grace and love for humanity, change their lives from doing wrong and wickedness to love for their neighbors and life filled with goodness. That none of them may perish because of us but rather they and us together be saved through penitence; we pray You, Lord, hear us and have mercy.

Silence or time for free prayer…

We are longing for the day, when the prophecy of Micah will come true, when "they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks, nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more."

Affirmation
The cross is the way of the lost.
The cross is the staff of the lame.

The cross is the guide of the blind.
The cross is the strength of the weak.

The cross is the hope of the hopeless.
The cross is the freedom of the slaves.

The cross is the water of the seeds.
The cross is the consolation of the bonded labourers.

The cross is the source of those who seek water.
The cross is the cloth of the naked.

The cross is the healing of the broken.
The cross is the peace of the church.
(St. Yared, Ethiopia)

You are invited to leave the chapel in silence