Hear our prayer, take us there

Today was youth day at Leeds Church, about which I have written previously.  Each year, our very active youth group is given responsibility for the sermon and the ‘Prayers of the People,’ a liturgical staple in the Anglican service.  As the human community begins to grapple seriously with the prospects of global warming, today’s Bible lesson, from the book of Genesis,  provided food for thought:

... Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight and the earth was filled with violence.  And God saw that the earth was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted its ways upon the earth.  And God said to Noah.  ‘I have determined to make and end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence because of them; now I am going to destroy them along with the earth...”

The prayers of the people, written by our youth-group members, provided a more hopeful supplication, written in youthful vernacular:

Let us pray for those down with Jesus Christ, who walk the walk, talk the talk and know what it’s like for all those who are down with God’s crews.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer, take us there.

Let us pray for the mission of the church, bringing the Hope the Faith, the Love of Jesus to all peeps, in every hood, for all time, every day.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer, take us there.

Let us pray for this country and our leaders, that we may all live in freedom and peace.  You down with us, and we down with yo, cause you got the back of every and each.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer, take us there.

Let us pray for the world.  For good will between nations and blessings and all peeps.  Let us holla the message cause together we can’t be beat.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer, take us there.

Let us pray for those in the House, for all those in the Hood, for all who live in the streets, its still all good.  For all who are in prison, for their families and their victims.  For all those who work and hold it down in the justices system.  For the military, victims of violence, and those who are in need.   We are down for you, we got ya back, trust us, best believe.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer, take us there.

Let us pray for those who have died.  For all the founders of Hip Hop gone on to heaven.  For the children of your streets no longer here.  For the Prophets and Saints before us give us your blessings

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer, take us there.