Prayers from the Christian World Service
2004 Christmas Bowl Resource ((for the full edition go here)
November 21, 2004
Christ the King
Elimination of Violence Against Women and Children
and for
November 25
International Day for the Elimination of Violence
Against Women and Children
Prayer
The prayer may be read by a group of readers, or by one.
If at all possible, ask at least one reader who has been a victim of violence,
although this does not need to be known by those gathered.
Place an unlit candle on the altar for lighting.
Reader 1
Compassionate God, you promised life to those who trust in you,
you gave Lazarus new life,
you assured us that "today, you shall be with me in paradise!"
Tender God, something is wrong;
women are brutalised and children abused,
lives are lost or forever changed as a result of inhumanity,
violence perpetrates violence through generations.
Someone must say no, someone must say stop!
All Readers
God, we say NO! We say STOP!
Reader 2
Ever living God, we pray for women and children
victimised through violence and oppression,
heal their emotional and physical wounds,
comfort them in their sorrow and need,
foster and restore their trust,
empower them with renewed life,
present to them alternatives - new paths.
Reader 3
Merciful God, forgive the perpetrators
of these crimes against all humanity;
in their blindness to reality,
they know not the limits of their strength,
or the hurt they inflict;
bring them to repentance and justice.
All Readers
We light this candle in homage
to all women and children who are victims of violence,
especially those in the Pacific region and Australia;
we pray, in your compassion, that hearts may be changed,
violence eliminated, and lives restored to health and prosperity.
Leader
God of all tenderness and compassion,
open our hearts to hear your call
to reach out to all who have been created by you;
open the doors of our church
to embrace women and children experiencing violence and oppression,
to see their need, and to respond with love.
Lord, you are our refuge and strength, our very present help in trouble;
stretch out your hand and bring these women and children close to you.
Give us the spirit to break the silence;
to stretch out our hands, giving courage, HOPE and peace. Amen.
Scripture
Jeremiah 23.1-6
Psalm 46
Colossians 1.11-20
Luke 23.33-43
Hymn/Song:
Hymns from Together in Song:
687 - God Gives Us a Future
730 - Jesus Remember Me
Solo, or play from a CD: God is Watching Us, Bette Midler, soloist
Sermon thoughts:
These thoughts are starting points for integrating the Christmas Bowl theme into the "word" for today. We
encourage you to use the whole or portions of the stories provided to connect people with people, to reach out in love and compassion to those in need.
Violence is wrong, no matter who the perpetrator. Violence against women and children is not isolated to
one country or region; it is systemic throughout the world. No state is immune. Taking different forms in
different places, it will only end when we take a stand to say NO; to say STOP! Only when women and men join hands and voices to eradicate violence will violence cease. Governments are responsible for the
creation and implementation of legislation to stop indiscriminate violence; they must be held accountable.
On any given night in Australia, approximately 5,000 women and children seek refuge in shelters; many of
these are victims of violence. No one knows how many more seek refuge with friends or relatives, or live on the street for the night. In Saudi Arabia, in March, 2002, fifteen girls died in a fire because police would not allow them to leave the building as their heads were uncovered. Amnesty International suggests that
"...violence against women [and children] is the greatest human rights scandal of our time."
• At least one in three women have been abused, beaten, or coerced into sex
• Violence may be physical, psychological, sexual, or combinations of the three
• Governments and their relative agencies may also perpetrate violence
• Up to 70% of female murder victims are killed by their partners
• 70% of refugees are women and children and 3/4 have suffered serious trauma or torture
• Many survivors of violence end up depressed, homeless and suicidal
• The root cause of violence against women is discrimination - the denial of equal rights or
placing women on the same level as men
In our Gospel reading today, soldiers and criminals mock Jesus saying "...let him save himself..." and
"...save yourself and us..." Women victims of violence know these words well - "You have a choice to leave! You do not have to stay! You do not have to put up with this abuse! Save yourself!" They are condemned and diminished by individuals, and the courts, by implying that they incited the violence, or brought it upon themselves.
This week we have the opportunity to respond to the churches' challenge of the Decade to Overcome Violence. On Thursday, as part of the sixteen-day worldwide On the Wings of a Dove peacemaking campaign, churches throughout the world are called to pray especially for the needs of women and children victimised by violence and oppression.
Why not wear a white ribbon on Thursday as a sign of your commitment to the elimination of violence? Think of ways in which you can help one another spend time rebuilding old, and developing new relationships, understanding each others needs, and discovering more about sharing peace in this troubled world. Bette Midler performed a hit song in the early 90's. The words of the refrain are: "And God is watching us, God is watching us, God is watching us from a distance." God is watching! Each of us can choose to say NO! Choose to say STOP! Choose to hold individuals and governments responsible. Choose to give the courage to HOPE for peace. God of tenderness and compassion...
We suggest using the final portion of the advent candle lighting prayer (page 2) again at the end of the sermon, binding the "word" together
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