Daily Prayers for June 4

In 1989, crowds of university students filled Tiananmen Square in Beijing to protest their government’s oppressive regime. Though they were allowed to gather for weeks, on the night of June 3, the Chinese Army massacred hundreds of peaceful protestors.

O Lord, let my soul rise up to meet you

as the day rises to meet the sun.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Come, let us sing to the Lord : let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.

Song “Freedom Train”

You who were exalted on a cross : compel us with passion for justice and mercy.

Psalm 21:8 – 14

Your hand will lay hold upon all your enemies : your right hand will seize all those who hate you.

You will make them like a fiery furnace : at the time of your appearing, O Lord;

you will swallow them up in your wrath : and fire shall consume them.

You will destroy their offspring from the land : and their descendants from among the -peoples of the earth.

Though they intend evil against you and devise wicked schemes : yet they shall not prevail.

For you will put them to flight : and aim your arrows at them.

Be exalted, O Lord, in your might : we will sing and praise your power.

You who were exalted on a cross : compel us with passion for justice and mercy.

Deuteronomy 4:25 – 31 Acts 2:22 – 36

You who were exalted on a cross : compel us with passion for justice and mercy.

Nineteenth-century Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard wrote, “The first form of rulers in the world were the tyrants, the last will be the martyrs. Between a tyrant and a martyr there is of course an enormous difference, although they both have one thing in common: the power to compel. The tyrant, himself ambitious to dominate, compels -people through his power; the martyr, himself unconditionally obedient to God, compels others through his suffering. The tyrant dies and his rule is over; the martyr dies and his rule begins.”

Prayers for Others

Our Father

God, give us discomfort at easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships, so that instead we may live deep within our hearts. Grant us anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of -people, so that we may wish for justice, freedom, and peace. Bless us with enough foolishness to believe that we can make a difference in this world, so that we can do what others claim cannot be done. Amen.

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you : wherever he may send you;

may he guide you through the wilderness : protect you through the storm;

may he bring you home rejoicing : at the wonders he has shown you;

may he bring you home rejoicing : once again into our doors.