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Note: You can use
this responsive
reading and the
prayers that follow
either as part of a
worship service
(perhaps a
Rachel's Day
service) or some
other observance.
Within a worship
service, you may wish
to separate the
litany from the
prayers and use them
with the prayers of
the church. During
Lent, omit the
Alleluia.
There is an
optional lighting of
candles that makes
this an excellent
tool for holding an
intergenerational
vigil in opposition
to commercial sexual
exploitation (CSE).
You can begin or end
with the lighting of
candles, or insert it
wherever it best fits
in your service.
The Responsive
Reading
L:
Creator God, we have
been made in your
image.
All:
Yet we have failed to
honor your image
within all people,
allowing others to be
portrayed as willing
participants in
commercial sexual
exploitation.
L:
Creator God, you made
us to serve each
other and the
unfolding of your
will on earth.
A:
Yet we have neglected
to speak out as the
weakest among us have
been forced into
sexual servitude.
L:
Holy God, we have
been called by your
grace to bring
healing into the
world.
A:
Yet we have refused
to see the connection
between our
inattention and the
continued abuse of
others within the
world of sex
trafficking.
L:
Precious Lord, we
have been claimed by
the gospel and made
whole in our baptism.
A:
Yet we do not loudly
protest as we
continue to see men,
women, and children
depicted as sexual
objects devoid of any
evidence of your
grace.
L:
Precious Savior, we
have been marked with
your cross and sealed
forever.
A:
Yet we do not regard
all others as
precious and worthy
of respect and
protection when it
comes to responsible
sexual conduct.
L:
Cleanse us, O Lord.
A:
By your mercy wash
away the societal and
cultural imprints
that make some forms
of commercial sexual
exploitation
acceptable in our
world, our society,
our communities, and
our families.
L:
Teach us, O Lord,
A:
To regard each other
as holy and worthy of
respect and honor as
you awaken us to the
ways we can combat
commercial sexual
exploitation in its
many forms.
L:
Let us pray:
A:
Lord God, indeed we
have often remained
silent to the
depiction of children
and adults in ways
that exploit your
gift of sexuality; we
have turned away when
children and adults
have been depicted in
ways that demean and
objectify, alienate
and injure, and we
have done little to
combat the various
ways commercial
sexual exploitation
gets played out in
the world around us,
in our society, in
our communities, and
in our families.
L:
The good news of
Jesus Christ tells us
we are forgiven for
our sins and can walk
in God's promise of
new life! As God's
children and Christ's
ambassadors, let us
move forward,
resolved to combat
the evils of
commercial sexual
exploitation.
A:
Amen! Alleluia!
The Prayers
L:
God of light, your
people live in a
culture where sexual
attraction is used to
sell everything from
automobiles to
toothpaste. We live
in a world that
values sexual
attraction more than
good character, a
sexually alluring
physique more than
the fruit of your
spirit. Shine your
light upon us as we
seek your healing
enlightenment and
welcome your holy
guidance. Merciful
God,
A:
hear our prayer.
L:
God of healing, we
pray for the healing
of all families and
communities
recovering from
sexual addictions and
the prevalence of
pornography,
prostitution, and
strip clubs. And for
those who continue to
be held in bondage to
pornography,
prostitution, strip
clubs, and sexual
addictions, we pray
specifically by name
in our hearts or out
loud... . May your
healing love enfold
and cleanse us all of
this unrighteousness.
Merciful God,
A:
hear our prayer.
L:
Holy and merciful
Lord of light, we
pray that the women,
men, and children
held captive within
the world of
commercial sexual
exploitation around
the world, in our
country, and in our
communities will know
your healing presence
and learn of your
loving deliverance.
Merciful God,
A:
hear our prayer.
L:
Eternal light, we
pray for all leaders,
that all governments
and national and
international
agencies may
energetically pursue
effective means to
end the global sex
traffic industry.
Merciful God,
A:
hear our prayer.
L:
God of justice,
remove all the
reluctance and
avoidance that
threatens our
intention, and grant
us the stamina and
determination to
relentlessly advocate
for the removal of
sexual exploitation
from our lives, our
community, our
culture, and the
world. Merciful God,
A:
hear our prayer.
More prayers
specific to your
community's needs may
be added. You may
include the names of
known victims as well
as known places where
commercial sexual
exploitation is
practiced or
manufactured.
Optional
Lighting of Candles:
Take the light from
the Christ candle
with one candle, and
then light the rest
of the candles row by
row or around the
circle before
reciting the final
prayers. Having a
child and an adult
take the flame from
the Christ candle to
light the individual
candles would also be
very effective.
Conclude by singing a
hymn that features
light imagery, such
as "This Little Light
of Mine."
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