Worship Resources for Observance of
The Fourth Anniversary of the War In Iraq
Rev. Dr. Rebecca Z. Brown
East Lincoln Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Lincoln, Nebraska
These resources were developed to support the Lincoln, Nebraska, Clergy Peacemakers' observance of the fourth anniversary of the war in Iraq. Congregations of all faiths in and around Lincoln are being asked to participate in a prayer of lament at their regular weekly worship immediately before the March 20, 2007 anniversary of the war.
Each of the prayers includes a time for reading the names of American military men and women and Iraqi civilians who have been killed in the conflict. Since only a fraction of the names of Iraqi fatalities are known, each Iraqi name represents approximately 17 other Iraqi non-combatants killed in the conflict, according to the most conservative estimates. Congregations are asked to read one American and one Iraqi name per worshipper.
Clergy Peacemakers hopes that all available names will be read in Lincoln churches over the weekend of March 16-18, 2007. To participate contact Rev. Rebecca Brown by telephone 402-486-4673 or with your congregation's contact information and number of worshippers. A list of names and other material will be provided. Those wishing to particpate in other communities may obtain fatality information from icasualties.org and iraqbodycount.org.
Feel free to adapt the reading of names to fit your situation. Suggestions include:
- Having Worship Leaders alternate the reading of American and Iraqi names.
- Distributing a card containing the names of one American and one Iraqi to each worshipper, and during your regular time of prayer asking each worshipper to read aloud the names on his/her card.
- Printing the list of names in worship bulletins for people to include in silent prayer.
- Scrolling the list of names on your AV screen during a period of silent or musical reflection.
A Prayer of Lament for One Voice
(concluding with the reading of Names of those killed in the war in Iraq)
The sound of sobbing is the same
across the prairie, across desert sands
in small towns and cities,
across war- weary lands.
God, hear the collective sighing
The grieving thousands for whom
The past four years of warring
have forever changed
the landscape of their lives.
God hear the cries of fallen soldiers,
their husbands, their wives-
of civilians, children, workers,
journalists, mothers, fathers, lovers,
and every other whose sorrow
labors on under this war’s burden.
God, see the tears that stain our cheeks,
that run like rivers down the faces
of your children.
Forgive us. Heal us.
Comfort and Console us.
And in your mercy teach us
How to live united
not by sobs and sorrow
But joined in the joy of being humans
Sharing an era on this fragile, life-rich earth.
On this day of lamentation
Hear these names of Americans fallen
since the war began,
And the names of Iraqi non-combatants
In equal numbers, each Iraqi name representing Herself and 17 others,
for such is the disproportionate nature
Of civilian to military death.
As we read one American name, one Iraqi name
We grieve for these and for every life lost;
For those being prayed aloud in worship elsewhere today,
And for those whom we leave unnamed, but whose names you know by heart.
(Pause for the reading of names.)
We ask that these, your children may rest in peace
And that we in turn, may never rest from peacemaking until
Earth becomes as it is in Heaven.
Amen.
A Prayer of Lament for Two Voices
L: God of Justice and truth, whose strength is made known in mercy; have mercy upon us.
R: God of Comfort and hope, whose power is expressed in love; fill us with your love.
L: God of forgiveness and life, whose will is for the healing of the nations; heal us.
R: We confess today our sorrow over the wages of war. We are broken and grieving.
L: Hear us, as we pray for those who have died in the four years since the beginning of the war in Iraq.
R: Hear us as we pray the names of these whom you have called by name since before the worlds began:
Readers alternate the reading of the names, then:
R: God of Justice, Mercy and Truth; have mercy upon us.
L: God of Comfort, Love and Hope; fill us with your love.
Both: God of forgiveness, healing and life; heal us.
Amen.
A Litany of Lament for the Congregation
L: God of Justice and truth, whose strength is made known in mercy;
R: On the fourth anniversary of this war have mercy upon us.
L: God of Comfort and hope, whose power is expressed in love;
R: On the fourth anniversary of this war fill us with your love.
L: God of forgiveness and life, whose will is for the healing of the nations;
R: On the fourth anniversary of this war heal us.
L: We confess today our sorrow over the wages of war.
R: We are broken and grieving.
L: Hear us, as we pray for those who have died and for those who have loved them.
R: Hear us as we pray the names of these whom you have called by name since before the worlds began:
(Pause for the reading of names.)
L: God of Justice, Mercy and Truth;
R: have mercy upon us.
L: God of Comfort, Love and Hope;
R: fill us with your love.
L: God of forgiveness, healing and life;
R: heal us. Amen.