Prayer for 12 January

Echoing a suggestion made by a youth from Haiti, the Taizé Community invites everyone who is able to pray for the people of Haiti, either singly or in a group, the 12th of each month for 12 months following the earthquake of January 12, 2010.

At the beginning of each month, we will publish on this page a proposed prayer that can be used that day.

Visiting Haïti in 1983, Brother Roger stayed at Cité-Soleil, a slum in Port-au-Prince.

Proposed prayer – January 12, 2011

Song

Dans nos obscurités

Psalm

Bonum est confidere (1x after each verse)

You are my God, have mercy on me, Lord,
for I cry to you all the day long.
Give joy to your servant, O Lord,
for to you I lift up my soul.

O Lord, you are good and forgiving,
full of love to all who call.
Give heed, O Lord, to my prayer
and attend to the sound of my voice.

In the day of distress I will call
and surely you will reply.
Among the gods there is none like you, O Lord,
nor work to compare with yours.

All the nations shall come to adore you
and glorify your name, O Lord,
for you are great and do marvelous deeds,
you who alone are God.

from Psalm 86

Reading

Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them. He said: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God."

Matthew 5:1-9

Song

In the Lord

Silence

Intercessions

Kyrie eleison

1. Jesus Christ, inner light, at Christmas we celebrate your coming into the world, a presence of salvation offered to all.

2. Jesus Christ, inner light, support all those who in Haiti work against poverty and alleviate suffering.

3. Jesus Christ, inner light, inspire the action of those who have political, social and economic responsibilities in our world.

4. Jesus Christ, inner light, become for all time the hope of the children who will be born in Haiti throughout this year.

5.Jesus Christ, inner light, shine in our lives so that we may be light for the world.

6.Jesus Christ, inner light, kindle in us the fire that never dies away.

Our Father

Prayer

God our hope, we entrust to you the people of Haiti. Dismayed by the incomprehensible suffering of the innocent, we ask you to inspire the hearts of those who bring the necessary aid. We know the deep faith of the Haitian people. Assist those who suffer; strengthen those who are downcast; comfort those who mourn; pour out your Spirit of compassion upon this deeply stricken and deeply loved people.

Songs

Fiez-vous en lui
Venite exultemus
Behüte mich Gott
Il Signore ti ristora

Last updated: 5 January 2011