A Litany for Democracy

Let us pray...

Lord, have mercy. 
Christ, have mercy. 
Christ, hear us. 
Christ, graciously hear us. 

For our failure to participate, God, have mercy. 
For our failure to protect the common good, God, have mercy. 
For our failure to end unjust laws, God, have mercy.
For our failure to remain civil and kind, God, have mercy.
For our failure to respect diversity, God, have mercy.
For our failure to insist on liberty and justice for all, God, have mercy.
For our failure to protect life, God, have mercy. 
For our failure to end unjust laws, God, have mercy.
For our tendency to justify evil, God, have mercy.
For our tendency to cancel others, God, have mercy.
For our tendency to stay stubborn, God, have mercy.
For our tendency to avoid compromise, God, have mercy.
For our tendency to allow white supremacy, God, have mercy.
For our tendency to choose apathy, God, have mercy.
For our tendency to associate only with those who are likeminded, God, have mercy.
For our greed, God, have mercy.
For our pride, God, have mercy.
For our violence, God, have mercy.
For our excuses, God, have mercy.
For our stubbornness, God, have mercy.
For our division, God, have mercy.
For our despair, God, have mercy.
For our desecration of public places, God, have mercy.
For our desecration of democracy, God, have mercy.
For our desecration of diversity, God, have mercy.
For our desecration of public service, God, have mercy.
For our desecration of the right to assemble, God, have mercy.
For our desecration of the right to free speech, God, have mercy.
For our desecration of the right to protest, God, have mercy.
For allowing money to have more power than people, God, have mercy.
For putting any life above another life, God, have mercy.
For our failure to build a compassionate society, God, have mercy.
For our failure to love our enemies, God, have mercy.
For our failure to believe in you, God, have mercy.
For our failure to destroy our idols, God, have mercy.
For our failure to end hate, God, have mercy.
For our failure to stop racism, God, have mercy.
For our failure to end division, God, have mercy.
For our failure to follow your nonviolent way, God, have mercy.
For our failure to trust You, God, have mercy.
For our failure to trust each other, God, have mercy.
For our failure to love one another, God, have mercy.

Heal our sorrow, Help us, Good God.
Mend our hearts, Help us, Good God.
Make us yours, Help us, Good God.

For the faithful who honor all life, We thank you God.
For the prophets who challenge the status quo, We thank you God.
For the leaders who build unity and peace, We thank you God.
For the public servants who model humility, We thank you God.
For leaders who turn anger into hope, We thank you God.
For teachers who help us think carefully, We thank you God.
For prophets who speak Truth to power, We thank you God.
For policy makers who lead us on the path of peace, We thank you God.
For artists and activists who offer us an alternative vision, We thank you God.
For organizers who build community and inspire action, We thank you God.
For clergy who keep us focused on the Prince of Peace, We thank you God.
For civil servants who protect human rights, We thank you God.
For teachers of civics, We thank you God.
For ordinary citizens who offer their gifts to the greater good, We thank you God. For those who demonstrate that democracy requires constant participation, We thank you God.

Heal our division, Help us, Good God.
End our fears, Help us, Good God.
Make us yours, Help us, Good God.

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.

Amen