A Litany of Prayer for Persecuted Peoples and Religions

O God the Father, Creator of heaven and earth,
Have mercy upon us.
O God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
Have mercy upon us.
O God the Holy Spirit, Sanctifier of the faithful,
Have mercy upon us.
O holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, one God,
Have mercy upon us.

Lord, Jesus Christ, receive our prayers for all who suffer persecution for their religious faith and beliefs,
O Christ, hear us.
For the persecuted children of Abraham,
O Christ, hear us.
For persecuted Jews,
O Christ, hear us.
For persecuted Christians,
O Christ, hear us.
For persecuted Muslims,
O Christ, hear us.
For all persecuted peoples and religions everywhere,
O Christ, hear us.

By the mystery of your holy incarnation; by your birth, childhood, and obedience to the law; by your baptism, fasting, and temptation,
Savior, deliver them.
By your ministry in word and work; by your mighty acts of power; by the preaching of your gospel,
Savior, deliver them.
By your agony and trial; by your cross and passion; by your precious death and burial,
Savior, deliver them.
By your mighty resurrection; by your glorious ascension; and by your sending of the Holy Spirit,
Savior, deliver them.

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.

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.

To all who have died as a result of persecution,
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, friends, and fellow believers,
Remember them in your mercy, O Lord, nourish them with patience, comfort them with a sense of your goodness, lift up your countenance upon them, and give them peace.

May it please you to make wars, persecution, and violence to cease in all the world,
Hear us, good Lord.
May it please you to give the world unity, peace, and concord,
Hear us, good Lord.
May it please you to give all peoples freedom of religion and belief,
Hear us, good Lord.
May it please you to lead the peoples of the world in paths of peace and good will,
Hear us, good Lord.
May it please you to gather all peoples under the banner of the Prince of Peace,
Hear us, good Lord.

To see that you have created all men and women in your image and likeness,
Open our eyes, O Lord.
To see that you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth,
Open our eyes, O Lord.
To see that you have linked our lives one to another,
Open our eyes, O Lord.
To see that we if do not love each other we do not love you,
Open our eyes, O Lord.

For all who persecute,
Almighty God, soften and turn their hearts.
For all who kill and injure,
Almighty God, soften and turn their hearts.
For all who act with violence, hatred, or prejudice,
Almighty God, soften and turn their hearts.
For all who plot terror and seek to do harm,
Almighty God, soften and turn their hearts.

That we may forgive our enemies,
Give us your grace and strengthen our will, Lord Christ.
That we may not seek revenge,
Give us your grace and strengthen our will, Lord Christ.
That we may not act with violence, hatred, or prejudice,
Give us your grace and strengthen our will, Lord Christ.
That we may not persecute,
Give us your grace and strengthen our will, Lord Christ.
That we may work for peace, healing, and reconciliation,
Give us your grace and strengthen our will, Lord Christ.

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 those bringing humanitarian aid and providing medical assistance,
Give your strength and protection, Lord Christ.

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 with the safety and security of distance,
Give tears of compassion, fervent prayer, and generosity of giving.

To all who live in safety, comfort, and privilege,
Give such an awareness of your mercies that with truly thankful hearts they may show forth your praise not only with their lips but in their lives.

That your One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church may persevere with truth and love, and be found without fault at the day of your coming,
We pray to you, O Lord.
That all bishops, priests, and deacons may be faithful ministers of your Word and Sacraments,
We pray to you, O Lord.
That every member of the Church may truly and humbly serve you,
We pray to you, O Lord.

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 Lord our God, accept the fervent prayers of your people; in the multitude of your mercies, look with compassion upon us and all who turn to you for help; for you are gracious, O lover of souls, and to you we give glory, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.