Text: Luke 4:18-21 (NRSV)

Leader: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor;

All: Forgive us, Lord, for the times our actions have not been consistent with the message of Good News to the most vulnerable.

Leader: He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives,

All: Forgive us, Lord, for the times we have not looked after the needy, the marginalized and the exiled due to our lack of love and lack of commitment to your Word.

Leader: and recovery of sight to the blind,

All: Forgive us, Lord, for the times our works have not been motivated by your love.

Leader: to let the oppressed go free,

All: Forgive us, Lord, for the times we have not stood on the side of your justice and truth on behalf of the exiled and the outcasts,

Leader: to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. 

All: Help us, Lord, to put your Word into action, taking the Good News to all who suffer in a foreign land.

Leader: And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him.

All: Lord, we commit to ensuring that the preaching of your Word becomes a reality in our daily life, through the witness of our actions on behalf of those who suffer displacement due to violence and social injustice.

Leader: Then he began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

All: Lord, we commit to taking the Good News to all who suffer the pain and loss of displacement. Hallelujah, yours is the Glory and Honor forever and ever! Amen. 

— Luz Amanda Valencia, pastor of the Ibagué Mennonite Church in Colombia

This prayer is part of the World Fellowship Sunday worship resource for 2019. Click here to see more: mwc-cmm.org/awfs