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.
