PENTECOST PRAYER FOR THE GIFT OF SPIRITUAL FREEDOM

by Jack Rakosky

READING FROM THE GOSPEL OF MARK (9: 15-29)
Jesus saves a boy robbed of speech by a demon.
His disciples asked him privately, "Why couldn't we drive it out?"
He replied, "This kind can come out only by prayer."

A CANTICLE FOR SPIRITUAL FREEDOM
A paraphrase of Romans 8:14-22

Response: May we all grow into the glorious freedom of the children of God

All who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. Response

For you should not have an inner self that is enslaved to fear. Response

You received the Spirit of God’s children. By the Spirit we cry, "Abba, Father." Response

The Spirit speaks in the depths of our being asserting that we are God's children. Response

As children, we share the blessings God gives to Christ, our promised heritage. Response

We also share in Christ’s sufferings so that we may be glorified with Christ. Response

The struggles of today are nothing compared to the light that will be unveiled in us. Response

Creation eagerly waits for the moment when God will reveal who his children really are. Response

Everything longs for the day when all will join God's children free from death and decay. Response

Indeed all creation groans with us as in the pains of childbirth even now. Response

CANTICLE PRAYER FOR THE SPIRITUAL FREEDOM TO CRY OUT

Response: Abba! We cry out with the freedom of the Spirit

Let us not be slaves of fear! Against all the suffering of children. Response

Against all the sweatshops of the world, and slavery of children. Response

Against all prostitution and sexual exploitation of children. Response

Against all starvation and malnutrition of children. Response

Against all inadequate and polluted water being used by children. Response

Against the sexual and physical abuse of children by their parents and relatives. Response

Against the sexual abuse of children by clergy, teachers, and other professionals. Response

Against war and violence that kills, maims, and scars children. Response

Against drugs that seduce and imprison children. Response

Against the use of children as soldiers. Response

Let us not be slaves of fear! Against all suffering and injustice to children. Response

Note: this prayer service is an adaptation for the Pentecost of the Seventh Reading from the author’s A Service of Nine Lessons for Childermas.. See the January Vineyard for an overview.

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