Creating Access and Inclusion in Worship
PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL
God, You have created us in Your image, with gifts and needs. For the times that we have failed to recognize our own limitations and abilities, we pray to the Lord.
Response: Lord, hear our prayer.
Too often, we do not accept, as our sisters and brothers, those who appear different than us. For the times we see others through the lens of a label and not as who they are, we pray to the Lord.
Response: Lord, hear our prayer.
For the times when we oppose You by opposing those who disrupt our routines and challenge our assumptions, we pray to the Lord.
Response: Lord, hear our prayer.
For our failure to speak when we witness injustice, we pray to the Lord.
Response: Lord, hear our prayer.
God, help us to break down human made barriers that separate us from others: the barriers in our buildings, our insensitivity, our failure to offer support or to invite people to be a part of our congregation, we pray to the Lord.
Response: Lord, hear our prayer.
Adapted from From Barriers to Bridges, National Organization on Disability, "Prayer of Confession", p. 56
OR
God, You have created us in Your image and likeness. You offer each of us everlasting life. Let us pray together so:
That our Church may work to bridge the divisions that separate us and keep us from intentionally welcoming the gifts of each individual, we pray to the Lord.
Response: Lord, Hear our Prayer.
That world leaders work to foster dignity, respect and civil rights citizens of all abilities, we pray to the Lord.
Response: Lord, Hear our Prayer.
That each of us recognize the needs of others, we pray to the Lord.
Response: Lord, Hear our Prayer.
That our parishioners reach out generously to welcome and include all members, even those who are the most vulnerable among us, we pray to the Lord.
Response: Lord, Hear our Prayer.
Presider: Loving and merciful God, you care about each of us. Hear our prayers today that one day we all may be united with you. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Contributed by Robert Zimmerman, Inclusion Author, Retired Special Education Administrator, Sidney, Ohio
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