Prayer for Domestic Violence Prevention Month: October

October is designated as Domestic Violence Prevention Month. It is not an official observance in The United Methodist Church, but it was set aside to be observed in the United States by President Bush in 2003.

Despite the efforts of prevention and rehabilitation, the violence continues in every community.

One of the more difficult hymns to sing in worship -- difficult, that is, in the sense of its emotional intensity and in finding an opportunity to sing it, and not so much the musical difficulty -- is "God Weeps," 2048, The Faith We Sing. Here is a responsive congregational prayer that incorporates this hymn, which may be sung by soloists or choir, with the congregation joining on stanza four. This would be especially appropriate during Domestic Violence Prevention Month.

O Healer of Galilee,
you are afflicted in the sufferings of your people
and are full of compassion and tender mercy.

Hear us as we pray for those who suffer:
For those who have to bear their burdens alone,
and for all who have lost those whom they love...

For those who are in doubt and anguish of soul,
For those who are oversensitive and afraid...

For little children,
whose surroundings hide them from your love and beauty,
for all the fatherless and motherless....

"God Weeps," stanza 1

Hear us as we pray for those who suffer:
For those who suffer through their own wrongdoing...
For those whose suffering is unrelieved by the knowledge of your love...
For all who suffer trauma in body or mind....

"God Weeps," stanza 2

For those whose livelihood is insecure,
the overworked, the hungry, the homeless, and the destitute,
for those who have been downtrodden, ruined,
and driven to despair....

"God Weeps," stanza 3

Set free, Helper of the weak,
the souls of your servants from all restlessness and anxiety.
Give us the peace and power that flow from you.

"God Weeps," stanza 4

Keep us in all perplexities and distresses,
in all griefs and grievances, from any fear or faithlessness;
that, being upheld by your strength
and stayed on the rock of your faithfulness,
through storm and stress we may abide in you. Amen.

(Followed by a time of silent prayer and meditation.)

The concluding time of silent prayer and meditation is an important conclusion to the emotional intensity of the prayer and hymn just spoken and sung. It is important for the worship leader to be sensitive to the spirit of the congregation at this moment, and take care with what follows in the order of worship, which might be an appropriate choral anthem, an instrumental selection, or a Scripture reading.

This unattributed, uncopyrighted prayer for those who suffer may be found as number 546 in The United Methodist Book of Worship. It has been adapted for use with the hymn by Dean McIntyre, Director of Music Resources, Discipleship Ministries.