Prayers

Praying in inclusive and non stigmatising ways can be a powerful tool to address stigma:

Monthly Prayer Guide - SIM Kenya HOPE for AIDS

Hope Carter, Prayer Coordinator SIM Kenya, HOPE for AIDS develops a monthly prayer guide on issues around the HIV pandemic. Hope kindly gave permission that we could share these with you.

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Prayers of Solidarity

Overcoming Violence

A 2010 Lenten Study compiled by the World Council of Churches, the World Student Christian
Federation and the World YWCA. http://women.overcomingviolence.org
Prayers of Solidarity
Outcast God,

Born into poverty in an occupied land,
Living alongside the marginalised and the oppressed.
Dying between criminals to the jeers of the crowd,
Open our eyes, that we who seek to follow you may recognise your face in the faces
of those who are reviled.
Open our ears, that we who seek to hear your word, may recognise your love in the
stories which are often drowned out.
Open our hearts, that we who seek your way of life may be bold in witnessing to your
longing for justice and peace.

Amen

Abundant God,
Those of us with plenty can observe the lives of those with nothing at the click of a
switch.
At the push of a button, we can close down the images which frighten or revolt us,
silence the stories which disturb and unnerve us.
Give us compassionate eyes to see clearly the world we live in. Move us from fear to
compassion; from wilful ignorance to mindful action, from the complicity of silence
to the joyful sings of solidarity.
We ask it in Jesus’ name,

Amen

We often hear it said that ‘The Poor will always be with us.’
Give us the courage then to say ‘Your Kingdom Come.’
We often hear it said that ‘It’s what they’re used to… they’re not like us.’
Give us the courage then to say ‘Your Kingdom Come.’
We often hear it said that ‘I don’t want to think about it – it makes me depressed.’
Give us the courage then to say ‘Your Kingdom Come.’
We often hear it said that ‘What did she expect – dressed like that.’
Give us the courage then to say ‘Your Kingdom Come.’
We often hear it said that ‘It’s the world – you can’t change it.’
Give us the courage then to say ‘Your Kingdom Come.’

Amen

A 2010 Lenten Study compiled by the World Council of Churches, the World Student Christian
Federation and the World YWCA.

16 - Day Prayer Campaign For The Elimination Of All Forms Of Violence Against Women November 25 - 10 December

From the Women and Gender Commission of the Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines, and the Institute of Formation and Religious Studies Student Body (Issued November 2003)

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Here we offer you the prayers and intentions for each day of the 16 Days.

Opening Prayer:
O God of Life,
You call us to respond with greater commitment to the needs of women
for their development, rights, defense, upliftment and freedom.
We are asked to define new ministries,
to make new roads in our apostolic strategies
to respond to new situations and new questions of the poor and of women.

But sometimes, just sometimes we lack the drive to take the risk.
Sometimes, just sometimes we need to be reminded again of our lukewarm response.
We forget sometimes to take upon ourselves the cause of women
in our everyday encounters with life.

And yet we believe in the united efforts of women and men,
We believe that the power to create and re-create is in our hands.
We remember and pray for each and every survivor/victim of gender violence.

PLEASE LIGHT A CANDLE for every petition.

For.

Nov. 25: Women victims of domestic violence, battered wives, marital rape

Nov. 26: Victims/survivors of rape, incest, sexually abused/harassed

Nov. 27: Female infanticide and selective abortions, female genital mutilation

Nov. 28: Maltreated and sexually abused children

Nov. 29: Victims/survivors of sex trafficking and prostitution

Nov. 30: Women victims of unfair labor practice (e.g. contractualization, etc.)

Dec. 1: Victims/survivors of AIDS

Dec. 2: Victims of war/militarism

Dec. 3: Victims of media violence

Dec. 4: Women migrant workers

Dec. 5: Women victims of sexual abuses in the church

Dec. 6: Women victims of violence/injustices from the rural areas

Dec. 7: Women from the cultural minorities who suffer violence and injustice

Dec. 8: Women/children suffer from acute poverty and displacement

Dec. 9: For all victims of gender violence particularly violence against homosexuals
(lesbians and gays)
Dec. 10: Women in death row and all those detained and victims of Human Rights
Violations (HRV)

Final Prayer:
O God, unite us with your grace and wisdom.
Shower your blessings upon us as we look forward to the age of peace,
when violence is banished,
both women and men are able to love and to be loved,
and the work and wealth of our world is justly shared.
We look forward to the future in faith and hope.
May it come soon. Amen.

A Prayer / Un Rezo. 24/04/09

Un Rezo

Lisandro Orlov Pastoral Ecuménica VIH-SIDA Buenos Aires. Argentina

Sorprendente Dios,
abre nuestros ojos para que podamos ver
las multitudes que esperan a las puertas de nuestras comunidades,
que una signo de comunión caiga de nuestras manos.
Sabemos que Tu eres la única puerta que puede atravesar los abismos que hemos construido.
Tu eres el único que pudo pasar de un reino al otro
para que también nosotros y nosotras podamos derribar esos muros que aún nos dividen,
y hacer visibles en el amor a nuestros hermanos y hermanas
que no queremos mirar y con las y los que no queremos tener comunión.
Que nuestras mesas sean espacios de dignidad abiertas a todos y todas.
Que esta crisis del vih y del sida nos muestre que eres Tú el que espera a las puertas de nuestras cenas y que clamas por inclusión, justicia y comunión.
Amén.

A Prayer

Amazing God
open our eyes so we can see
the multitudes that wait at the doors of our communities
waiting for a sign of communion to fall from our hands.
We know that you are the only gate that crosses the chasms we have constructed.
You are the only one who can move from one kingdom to another
and enable us to break down the walls that separate us.
You make visible in your love, our brothers and sisters
who we do not want to see - those with whom we do not want to have communion - that our tables should be spaces of dignity open to all people.
You show us in the crisis of HIV/AIDS that it is You waiting at our doors
and at our dinner tables crying to be heard - begging to be included - for justice and communion.
Amen

AIDS and the Power of God's Goodness and Grace

A Responsive Reading By Cathie Lyons

In remembrance of Terry L. Boyd, a member of Lafayette United Methodist Church in St. Louis who died on April 27, 1990, and all persons who have died from the complications of HIV/AIDS.

LEADER: We gather in the name of the crucified and risen Christ

THE PEOPLE: Over whom death had no power and through whom there is life eternal

LEADER: We gather as a remembering and a caring community

THE PEOPLE: A community of faith and hope united by God's love.

LEADER: We come to give thanks for those we love

THE PEOPLE: Those who have cared for us.

Those who have brought joy to our lives.

Those we love and pray to be reunited with when the time is right

LEADER: God calls to us

THE PEOPLE: To care for one another, to be compassionate and merciful

LEADER: We celebrate God's goodness and grace

THE PEOPLE: In the love we give, receive and remember.

LEADER: We experience God's goodness and grace

THE PEOPLE: Through arms that embrace us when we are filled with fear.

LEADER: God bless those who care

THE PEOPLE: Bless and sustain those who care for the living and the dying:

who search for cures, therapies and vaccines.

Those who respond day and night to our tears, our desperation and our grief.

LEADER: We are the creation of one Creator God

THE PEOPLE: The child who cries is every child.

The woman weakened and tired is every mother, wife, sister, daughter. The man is every father, husband, son and brother

LEADER: AIDS leaves gaping wounds in the lives of those who have lost the ones they love the most

THE PEOPLE: God, give us the strength and courage to be present in the midst of loss.

LEADER: Across the infinity of space and time a common heart beats in every breast

THE PEOPLE: Forbearing pain and clinging to hope we are brought to a deeper understanding of our common humanity

LEADER: We are a family of nations united by our common priceless humanity

THE PEOPLE: AIDS is a worldwide crisis in the midst of which there is no "we" and "they".

LEADER: We confess that we are all affected

THE PEOPLE: When one of God's creation suffers we all suffer

LEADER: When our sons and daughters are touched

THE PEOPLE: We remember Mary's agony over the suffering and death of her beloved child.

LEADER: We know Jesus identifies with all who suffer

THE PEOPLE: Through our faith in Him, healing and wholeness take place.

LEADER: In AIDS ministry there is giving and receiving

THE PEOPLE: Like a chalice filled and drained and filled again, we receive Christ and have Christ to give.

LEADER: When we care for a person who has AIDS we show that we love Christ

THE PEOPLE: To touch, to bathe, to feed, to clothe the one who is ill is to do this unto Christ Jesus.

LEADER: Today we are called to be a joyful, thankful people

THE PEOPLE: Upheld by God's goodness and grace which has the power to disarm AIDS

LEADER: In thankfulness we commit ourselves to being a caring, justice-seeking, nurturing community

THE PEOPLE: We covenant together in commitment to God and to one another.

LEADER: We will be a caring community

THE PEOPLE: We welcome into our community and our church all persons whose lives have been touched by HIV and AIDS. We say to all: "You are welcome here."

LEADER: We will be a justice-seeking community

THE PEOPLE: We will oppose all forms of discrimination against persons with HIV and AIDS. We support the right of all persons with HIV and AIDS to housing, employment, services, transportation, accommodations and health care.

LEADER: We will be a nurturing community

THE PEOPLE: We will care for one another and love one another.

We will pray for God's creation.

We will be Christ's presence in each other's lives.

We will be witnesses to God's unconditional love.

LEADER: Through Christ's example we are made finer, gentler, stronger

THE PEOPLE: Through Christ, the Savior, and the power of God's goodness and grace

we are set free to love, to seek justice,

to become all God intends us to be.

This resource may be reprinted and/or adapted giving credit to Cathie Lyons and the HIV/AIDS MINISTRIES NETWORK, Health and Welfare Ministries, General Board of Global Ministries, The United Methodist Church. From the December 1990 issue of the HIV/AIDS Ministries Network Focus Paper. Downloaded here

Affirmation of Faith - Gender

The Australian Student Christian Movement

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We believe in our God

Who created woman and man in God’s own image

To live in communion and harmony

With people, nature and God;

We believe in Jesus Christ

The liberator of this world

Who broke the culture of silence

And affirmed and advocated for the status of women in the society

Who called us to follow His footsteps

To resist all the exploitative and oppressive systems

To build a human community;

We believe in the Holy Spirit

That empowers us to stand firm

Who renews and restores the integrity of the creation

Helping all people to grow together towards wholeness of life.

- Amen.

An HIV and AIDS Pledge

(Adapted from a pledge that was used at the launch of the video: The URCSA Cares)

Leader: In thankfulness we commit ourselves to be a caring, justice-seeking, nurturing community.

Congregation: We covenant together in commitment to God and one another.

Leader: As God loves us and cares for us, we too, will be a caring community.

Congregation: We welcome into our community and into our church all persons whose lives have been touched by HIV-infection and living with HIV. We say to all: As God welcomes us into God's covenant, you are welcome in our congregation.

Leader: We will be a justice seeking community

Congregation: As a congregation, we will oppose all forms of discrimination against people living with HIV and AIDS.

Leader: We will be a nurturing community.

Congregation: We will care for one another and love one another as God has loved us in Jesus Christ. We will pray for the healing of God's creation. We will be Christ's presence in each other's lives, especially in the lives of those living with HIV and AIDS. We will be witnesses to God's unconditional love.

Leader: Through Christ's example we are made stronger in faith, finer and gentler in spirit.

Congregation: Through Christ the Saviour and the power of the Holy Spirit and God's goodness and grace, we are set free to love, serve, witness and care, unconditionally.

Leader: Let us now affirm together, as people of God, a covenant to care.

Congregation: As members of the body of Christ, we covenant together in the Name of God, to assure people living with HIV and AIDS that they will never be destitute of our Christian love, care and compassion. We invoke for ourselves Christ's words in Matthew: 25: "I was hungry and you gave me food. I was thirsty and you gave me drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me. I was sick and you visited me." We will make true our confession: We must stand where God stands.

Leader: Go and follow Christ!

Angels - Prayer of an Orphan

Prayer of a 15 year old orphan who is sister and “mother” for her three younger siblings .

(Background: The number of youth-headed households in South Africa increases rapidly. Many siblings don’t want to be separated and rather endure the ensuing hardships of a household without income. Government support is only available if the guardian is at least 25 years old.)

Loving God,

When our mother passed away into your arms she promised us that you will send angels to help us. When she blessed us in her last hour she told us in a soft voice that these angels are people who will give us love and kindness. Tonight I want to thank you for our good day and all the angels you have sent.

Thank you for our neighbour, Mama Dala, because she made us wonderful porridge this morning.

Thank you for Thoko’s grandmother because she takes our little sister, Zanele, to the children’s day centre. She often has to carry Zanele on her back because the road is full of stones.

Thank you for Mama Khesa who allowed my brothers to play in her yard today. They returned with happy faces because they had steam-bread with jam.

Thank you for my teacher who is so gentle. She gave me a new pen this morning and praised my poem.

Thank you for our principal who invited me to his office and asked how I manage to look after my two brothers and little sister. I was not shy when I spoke to him. He said: You are only 15 and you are such a responsible girl. Your parents gave you the best name: Thandeka, which means: the one who is loved.

Thank you for Aunt Lerato who will come on Saturday to help us wash our clothes and collect fire-wood. She always has good words and never shouts at my brother Olo when he is naughty. Olo misses Mother so much - he is often angry.

Thank you for our cousin Thula who brings us t-shirts, jeans and shoes from her madam’s children. Thula works as a domestic worker. She says her madam has a golden heart.

Thank you for Uncle Siya who visits every month and tells us stories and never hits us.

Thank you for the women from the church who bought us school uniforms. Now we look like all the other children and my brothers are no longer ashamed to go to school.

Thank you for Mandisi’s grandfather who brings us sweet-potatoes and spinach almost every day.

Thank you for the nurse at the clinic who gave Zanele medicine and a warm blanket.

Thank you for our pastor who brought a beautiful picture-book that made Zanele smile and then she did not cry for a whole week.

Thank you for the volunteers at the care centre. They promised that they will protect us if strange relatives come and want to take us away. We are worried because this happened to my friend Sindi and her brothers. Sindi’s aunts and uncles came and each relative took one child. Sindi’s heart is broken because she says the relatives only want the foster child grant from the government.

Thank you, God, that we can stay together as brothers and sisters because you send your angels to take care of us.

O God, I thank you because I know that our parents are with you.

AMEN

(Source: MASANGANE prayers. South Africa 2006)

Blessing in a Time of AIDS

(Taken from a liturgy at the meeting of the Caritas Internationalis AIDS Task Force, Rome, April 1999)

May God our Father bless and strengthen us.

May God our Mother shape and sustain us.

May we find in our ever-loving God rest, renewal, support for the difficulties ahead, challenge

in our times of complacency and inspiration to always proclaim the Truth of God's good News in this time of HIV and AIDS.

Boetedoening

Vader as ons na U toe kom om vandag spesifiek boete te doen en berou te toon rondom die pandemie van MIV/VIGS vra ons U vergifnis:

· Dat ons vele kere versuim om die oplossing wat daar in Christus is aan mense wat met VIGS leef, te bring.

· Vir die leemte dat ons nie die eenheid in Christus uitleef nie, omdat ons soms verwerpend is teenoor mense wat met VIGS lewe.

· Dat ons nie met verantwoordlikheid en volgens U wil seksueele verhoudings aangaan nie.

· Dat ons nie U liefdesgebod uitleef nie.

· Dat ons nie ons naaste soos onself liefhet nie.

· Dat die leed van so baie van ons landsgenote rondom VIGS so groot is dat ons onmagtig voel om ’n verskil te maak.

Ons Vader, hoor ons berou vandag en help ons om U hoop aan almal wat deur MIV en VIGS geraak word te bring.

AMEN

Call to Worship

Leader: The sustaining presence of God,

The sustaining promise of the Almighty,

Be with you.

People: And also with you.

Leader: I rejoiced when my friends said to me,

People: Let us go into the house of our God!

Leader: The house of God – a home for the prodigal and the pilgrim

Voice 1: Welcome home, you who have roamed so long in the wilderness

People: Welcome home!

Leader: The house of God – a shelter for the forsaken and forgotten.

Voice 2: Welcome home, you who have yearned so long for comfort and inclusion.

People: Welcome home!

Leader: The house of God – a hospice for those who seek wholeness and God’s healing.

Voice 3: Welcome home, you who have endured so long under the shadow of illness with challenged bodies, lives, and relationships.

People: Welcome home!

Leader: The house of God – a family for those who live in solitude and alienation.

Voice 4: Welcome home, you who have so long sought acceptance and community.

People: Welcome home!

Leader: God’s house is filled — With grace enough to embrace all who will enter in at the open door;

Voice 1: With light and understanding to show us the wisdom and truth of God’s Word;

Voice 2: With strength for those who live with affliction and infirmity;

Voice 3: With compassion for those who ask for healing and mercy;

Voice 4: With love, unbounded and unconditional, for those who will give and receive.

People: Scattered, diverse and beloved children of one sustaining Creator:

Leader: Let us go into the house of our God!

People: Welcome home!

Candle liturgy and Prayers

Prayer:

Lord, as the body of Christ, we are confronted by,

and share in, the pain of all who suffer due to HIV and AIDS.

We hear You calling us to end new infections,

educating ourselves at every level within Your Body,

Confronting poverty, conflict and gender inequalities,

Ending stigmatisation and judgement,

and accepting accountability before You

for our actions and attitudes, in order to live out

the Good News of the all-embracing love of Christ,

Amen.

Lighting of candle:

As we light this candle, may it be sign

of Your embracing love for all

who experience the effects of HIV and AIDS.

Through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Amen.

Prayer:

Almighty God, The Father of us all,

We ask You to inspire the members of our community

With Your Spirit of love, care and compassion

to deal justly and responsibly with us who are HIV+,

that we may experience You in our relationships.

Remove from our midst the fear of rejection and judgement

And grant that we all stand as one in Your presence,

Saved by the blood of Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Amen

by J F Bruitjies of Ennerdale

Dedication Prayer for AIDS Caregivers

Prayer presented an the SACBC La Verna Conference for AIDS caregivers form the dioceses of Southern Africa, 24 – 26 October 2001)

WE BELIEVE
that we are part of God’s dream for the church and the world,

and that God is shaping us, as the potter shapes the clay,

into the kind of human and church community

that is the dream in God’s heart.

We believe that God has called and chosen us

as the potter carefully chooses a lump of clay

to make what he has in mind.

We believe that when God sees that the church and the world

are not coming out right, not according to the divine dream,

God does not discard the clay and take another piece,

but re-works the same clay, shaping and moulding it

with firm but gentle hands, on the wheel of life.

We believe that God is shaping and reshaping us

through our response to the AIDS pandemic

to be like Jesus, the compassionate one,

as we continue the mission of Jesus in the world.

WE CONFESS…

that we sometimes become discouraged and disheartened

with the weight of people’s suffering.

We confess that we sometimes grow weary

and forget that God is with us,

when we feel overwhelmed by the enormity of people’s pain,

their grinding poverty, their desperation.

We confess that we sometimes forget

that God does provide and our needs will be met.

We confess that our faith in humanity is shaken

when people with AIDS feel abandoned and judged

and are treated as outcasts.

WE COMMIT OURSELVES TO:

being gentle with the crushed reed, the wavering flame,

so that the crushed reed will not be broken

nor the flickering flame quenched.

We commit ourselves to healing, helping and educating

so that the AIDS pandemic will be overcome in Southern Africa.

We will do what we can for the orphans,

and for others whose lives are bent or broken by AIDS.

We commit ourselves to shaping with gentle hands

the fragile and vulnerable clay which is each precious person given to us.

We will treat them with the same loving patience we ourselves feel

in the hands of the divine potter.

We will open our ears to listen like disciples

as God leads us forward on the next part of the journey,

the journey we are on together.

And we will join hands as we continue along the way,

the way of salvation.

AMEN

Gebed te Midde van Vigs

Almagtige God, Vader, Seun en Gees

Ons kom na U as die Bron van alles wat goed is
Ons staan voor U as ‘n kerk wat oorweldig is deur MIV en Vigs, ’n kerk waar daar nie meer ’n hulle en ’n ons kan wees wanneer
Ons bid vir U gawes.

Ons kom na U as die Bron van lewe,
Ons staan voor U as wetenskaplikes en navorsers wat soek na antwoorde.
Ons bid vir nuwe idees en ‘n oop gemoed, om maniere te vind om lewe te bewaar en te beskerm teen die verwoesting van die virus.

Ons kom na U as die Bron van lig en wysheid.
Ons staan voor U as ‘n kerk met ons blindheid en ons onkunde,
Ons bid vir insig om te reageer op die morele, etiese en menslike dilemmas wat die epidemie na vore bring.

Ons kom na U as die Bron van vrede.
Ons staan voor U as gemeenskappe wat uitmekaar geskeur is deur wantroue en stigma,
Ons bid vir die vermoë om ons vrese opsy te skuif en mekaar te omarm, ongeag ons probleme en verskille.

Ons kom na U as die Bron van deernis.
Ons staan voor U as ‘n kerk vol apatie, ‘n kerk wat afwesig is in die lewe van die wat swaarkry en die wat hulle versorg,
Ons bid vir ‘n nuwe gees, en die gewilligheid om deel te word van hulle realiteit.

Ons kom na U as die Bron van krag.
Ons staan voor U as versorgers, mediese personeel en families, met ons afgematheid, ons moegheid, ons moedeloosheid, wanneer omgee te veel word,
Ons bid vir steun, vir bronne, vir energie om aan te gaan, selfs wanneer ons dink dat dit onmoontlik is.

Ons kom na U as die Bron van vertroosting.
Ons staan voor U as mense wat siek is van die infeksies wat saam met Vigs kom, in pyn, in ongemak, in isolasie
Ons bid vir sagte hande om ons te versorg, vir effektiewe medikasie om ons simptome te verlig, vir liefdevolle gemeenskappe om ons te omring.

Maar meer as enige van hierdie dinge, Here

Kom ons na U as die Bron van liefde
Ons staan voor U as mense wat vergeet het wat dit beteken om lief te hê of liefde te ontvang,
Ons bid dat U ons verander, vernuwe en leer, om Christus te wees vir mekaar, te midde van MIV en Vigs.

AMEN

Gebed vir Vigs Versorgers

Lewende God, ons aanbid u

as die God wat vir u mense sorg

as die Goeie Herder wat vir sy skape sorg.

U sorg vir ons en deur ons sorg u vir weerlose mense.

Ons bid vandag vir hulle wat sorg vir mense met MIV en vigs.

As hulle afgeskrik en ontmoedig word

deur die las van mense se lyding;

As hulle soms moeg word

en oorweldig is deur die omvang van mense se pyn,

die sleur van hulle armoede, hulle wanhoop –

Help hulle om te onthou:

U is met ons en u sorg en sal in ons behoeftes voorsien.

As hulle geloof in die mensdom wankel

wanneer mense met vigs verstote en veroordeel voel

en soos uitgeworpenes behandel word –

Help hulle om te onthou:

U is met ons en u sorg en sal in ons behoeftes voorsien.

Help hulle en help ons om instrumente van u sorg te wees:

Om versigtig te werk met die geknakte riet, die flikkerende vlam,

sodat die geknakte riet nie sal breek nie en die flikkerende vlam nie geblus sal word nie.

Om te doen wat ons kan vir weeskinders,

en vir hulle wie se lewens geknak of gebreek is deur vigs.

Om elke kosbare mens wat vir ons gegee word

met dieselfde liefdevolle geduld te hanteer

wat ons self in u hande van versorgende liefde ervaar.

Om onsself te verbind daaraan om te genees,

te help en op te voed sodat die vigs-pandemie in Suidelike Afrika oorwin kan word.

Help ons om ons ore oop te maak en soos dissipels te luister

wanneer U ons voortlei as ons Goeie herder, terwyl U vir ons sorg,

en deur ons, ook vir ander weerlose mense.

Amen

(Aanpassing en vertaling van “Dedication prayer for aids caregivers” voorgedra by die “SACBC La Verna Conference for AIDS caregivers from the dioceses of Southern Africa”, 24 – 26 Oktober 2001.)

God Inside of Me 24/4/09

By the Rev. Kelvin Sauls

(Inspired by brothers and sisters who allow God to shine through them in the locations mentioned.)

In the village of Rhobonge and Gulu Town in Uganda
Where AIDS has killed all our parents and grandparents
I can sing, "inimara": God still loves me so much
God Inside of me!

In east Oakland
Where we are in a state of emergency because of HIV/AIDS
Where politics affects efforts for prevention
God inside of me!

In the slum of Kibera in Nairobi
Where 700,000 of us live along a railroad track without sanitation
Drugs, sex, and violence are a trinity; still, I trust in Triune God
God inside of me!

In the Favella in Rio
Where everyday is a living hell and survival is my middle name
I call on the name of the One who took the keys of hell
God inside of me!

In the township of Langa in South Africa
Where I'm still walking my long walk to economic freedom
I am because God is …
God inside of me!

In the garbage dumps in Port-au-Prince
Where our greatest wealth is our poverty
I know where my help comes from
God inside of me!

In the streets of Gaza in Palestine
Where rocks and suicide bombs overshadow my plight
I will stand on the rock of my salvation and light
God Inside of me!

God inside of me: redefines my identity!
Restores my dignity!
Renews my ability!
Redirects my destiny! Amen.

Hear Our Voice

By Thabo SEPHUMA

Hear our voice,

For it is the voice of all,

Poor people living in the midst of poverty

people living with HIV

among individuals and nations.

Hear our voice

For it is the voice of all children

Who suffer and will suffer

When their parents dies to AIDS-related illness,

B’cause they’re unable to afford HIV medications

Hear our voice,

When we beg you to instil

Into the hearts of all human beings

The wisdom of love, the strength of care,

And the joy of fellowship.

Hear our voice

For we speak for the multitudes

And in every history

Who do not want to see others suffers

And are ready to walk the road of human-kind.

Hear our voice

And grant insight and strength

So that we may always respond to hatred with love

To injustice with total immense dedication to justice

To need, with the sharing of self

To war with peace

To hunger with healthy food.

O Lord, hear our voice

And grant unto the world

Your everlasting humanity and love.

Amen

Hear Your People's Voices

Creator God, loving Father of us all,

Hear the voices of all your people,

Made in your image

Loved by you, whose triumphs and failures

Are shared by you

Hear the voices of your people.

Hear the voices of those who have a right to a life of dignity,

To be part of your human family where no-one is excluded.

Hear the voices of your people.

Hear the voices of those who have a right to be educated,

To be healthy, fed and sheltered,

Who want to create their own choices and chances in life.

Hear the voices of your people.

Loving Creator, create in us all the will to build a world

Where all your people are heard.

Hear the voices of your people.

http://www.cafod.org.uk/resources/worship/prayers/hiv_and_aids/hear_your_people

I am Lazarus 24/4/09

(Inspired by Luke 16: 19-31)

By the Rev. Kelvin Sauls

I am Lazarus.
Can you see me, sores and all?
Can you hear me, callin' at all?
Can you be with me, beggin' and all?

I am Lazarus. I live with HIV/AIDS.
I am not invisible.
I am not unapproachable.

I am Lazarus. I live with HIV/AIDS.

I am loveable.
I am acceptable.

I am Lazarus.
I am possible.
I am available.
I am reachable.

I am Lazarus.
I can see you now.
I can hear you now.
I can be with you now.

I am Lazarus.
I live with HIV/AIDS.

Intercession for Those Infected and Affected by HIV/AIDS

Leader: O God our Father, creator of heaven and earth

Congregation: Have mercy upon us.

Leader: O God the Son, redeemer of the world

Congregation: Have mercy upon us.

Leader: O Holy Spirit of God, advocate, guide and comforter

Congregation: Have mercy upon us.

Leader: O holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity

Three Persons in one God

Congregation: Have mercy upon us.

Leader: Father God, hear us as we pray for those who are infected by AIDS,

those who are in danger of death.

Give them the comfort of your presence, Let them seek your face,

and draw strength from You, the source of life

Congregation: Have mercy, hear our prayer.

Leader: Lord Jesus, hear us as we pray for those who have just heard

that they are infected by the HIV virus, but who are not yet ill.

Remind them that they still have a life to live:

Let them find in You the Life, the Way and the Truth.

Congregation: Jesus, Lord of life, hear our prayer

Leader: Holy Spirit of God, hear us as we pray for those

who nurse people infected by AIDS –

Give them the assurance of the Father's presence and the love of Jesus.

Give them your comfort, give them your peace.

Congregation: Spirit of holiness, hear our prayer.

Leader: Father, we pray that we all would hear your call in these events,

a call to repentance and a call to help.

We pray that people would repent from immorality and

fashion their lives upon the guidelines from your Word;

Help us so that we may live responsible lives,

not only thinking of ourselves - but also of the others around us.

We pray for those scientists and doctors who are engaged in

research in order to find a cure for AIDS.

We pray for your church –

Guide us, so that we can comfort those who need

comfort with your comfort.

Fill our hearts with your compassion, so that those infected

by AIDS would not doubt that they will be helped by the church;

Guide us, so that we will know how to help those who need help.

We ask this is because of your great mercy given to us.

Congregation: Lord of mercy, hear our prayer. Amen

From Resources for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and throughout the year 2007.

Intersessie Gebed

Hemelse Vader, ons dink vandag aan alle mense wat deur MIV/VIGS geraak word.

Dit konfronteer ons met sake wat ons eerder sou wou vermy:

Dit konfronteer ons met chaos, verlies aan beheer en angs oor die gevolge van hierdie siekte vir die toekoms.

Here, hoor ons onsekerheid.

Dit konfronteer ons met die dood.

Ons word bewus van ons nietigheid en feilbaarheid.

Dit laat ons besef dat ons nie voluit kan lewe nie, voordat ons nie eers met die dood vrede gemaak het nie.

Here dankie dat U die dood oorwin het.

Dit konfronteer ons met ons liggame en seksualiteit.

Ons besef dat menslikheid en seksualiteit onlosmaaklik met mekaar verbind is.

U het ons so geskape.

Dankie dat ons in U Here Jesus die eenheid van Goddelikheid en menslikheid leer ken het en dat U ons seksualiteit kom verlos het en dit nie ontken nie.

Help ons om verantwoordlikheid en volgens U seksuele verhoudings aan te gaan.

Dit konfronteer ons met oordeel.

Ons staan voor U oordeel wat ons selfregverdigende gesindheid verwerp, wat alle pogins van ons kant om ander te veroordeel die nek omdraai en wat ons houding van morele meerderwaardigheid afbreek.

Here, U alleen kan oordeel, vergewe ons.

Dit konfronteer ons met vrees.

Ons vrees die virus wat soveel verwoesting saai.

Ons is ook bang vir almal wat anders is ons en anders as ons dink en redeneer.

Here, sien ons vrees en angs raak.

Hemelse Vader, dankie dat ons ook met U genade gekonfronteer word.

Ons vra dat U almal wat met die virus moet leef en almal wat aan hulle verbind is met U genade sal omvou.

Dankie dat U elke mens sonder voorbehoud liefhet en aanvaar.

AMEN

Klaaggebed

In aansluiting by Psalm 88:2-11 en Habakuk 1:2-3.

Here, ons God, U wat altyd help, ons bid tot U.

Hoor tog ons gebed, hoor dit in Jesus se Naam.

MIV en vigs het swaar op ons land kom lê.

Vir baie is dit té swaar: soveel wat sterf;

soveel wat kragteloos is in die skaduwee van die dood.

Dis asof die lyn tussen lewe en dood uitgevee word.

Om dit te aanskou, is al te veel -

Om dit te ervaar, is te erg!

Dit voel soos om in 'n put te val -

Dit voel of dit U is wat straf -

Ja, dit voel of u ons oor en oor slaan!

Dit maak ons eensaam:

mense word bang en skaam.

Geliefdes word soos vyande.

Dit sluit ons toe in 'n tronk sonder hoop.

Here, ons roep soos blindes wat na lig verlang.

Ons roep soos dooies wat na lewe verlang.

Waarom dan, Here?

Hoe lank nog, Here?

Voordat U hoor, voordat U red?

Here, ons God, U wat altyd help, ons bid tot U.

Hoor tog ons gebed, hoor dit in Jesus se Naam.

Amen.

Litanie

LITURG: Almagtige en genadige God, God van reg en regverdigheid en van vergifnis, Skepper en verlosser, U wat dit vir ons moontlik maak om te wees wie ons is, wat ons lewens elke dag stuur en rig.

GEMEENTE: Ons kom voor U vandag namens ons broers en susters wie se lewens deur MIV/VIGS geraak word.

LITURG: Ons glo, Here dat op maniere wat bo ons vermoë is om ten volle te verstaan, U wil hê dat mense gesond in heel moet wees, in denke, liggaam en gees.

GEMEENTE: Nogtans moet ons bely dat ons die gawe van heelwees wat ons van U ontvang het, nie volledig waardeer en respekteer nie.

LITURG: Ons beskou die lewe as ’n reg en vergeet dat dit ’n geskenk uit U hand is.

GEMEENTE: U het ons geroep om ander lief te hê.

LITURG: Hiermee sukkel ons, omdat ons bevooroordeeld en eiewys is. So baie kere leef ons sonder om die nood van mense wat met die VIGS virus saamleef, raak te sien. Ons hanteer hulle op ’n afstand en nie as persone wat volgens U beeld geskape is nie. Soms weet ons nie eens van mense wat deur die virus geraak word nie, ten spyte van die oorweldigende getal mense met die virus in ons land.

GEMEENTE: Ons wil ons aandeel tot die vereensaming van mense met die VIGS virus bely. Vergewe ons as ons hulle tot stilswye dwing vanweë die stigma wat ons aan die siekte heg.

LITURG: Gee wysheid aan almal wat meewerk daaraan om geneesmiddels te ontwikkel en gee aan die leiers van ons land ’n ware sin vir medelydende verantwoordlikheid in die hantering van hierdie pandemie.

GEMEENTE: Help ons om mense van liefde en versorgende omgee te wees as ons U voorbeeld navolg, Here.

LITURG: Ons is bang en angstige mense wat lewe tussen bang en angstige mense. Tog troos U ons deur te sê dat ons nie bang hoef te wees nie want U het klaar oorwin.

GEMEENTE: Daarom kom ons na U toe in nederigheid en vra dat U op ’n besondere wyse by mense wat deur hierdie virus geraak word, sal wees.

LITURG: Hoor ons gebed, o God,

AMEN

Living Example of a Loving Community

We pray for the Church throughout the world that she may be a living example of a loving community,

and a voice for those who are hungry for justice.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for the world’s leaders, that they may work to overcome the barriers between peoples and

foster a spirit of global community.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for our own local community here in …

We pray for those who feel excluded from our local community, through poverty, disability or illness.

We pray for people affected by HIV and AIDS, and especially for those excluded from our communities through discrimination and prejudice.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

© Linda Jones Downloaded from CAFOD

Move Us

Grant us O Lord of all things,

that your Spirit of Life and Dignity

move us to open wide our minds and our hearts

in such ways that we break down the barriers

of stereotypes and prejudices that separate us;

and that all our suspicisions and doubts fall away.

Remove our ways of excluding and dividing so that we

may be signs of your kingdom in the middle

of the oppression and hostility.

Grant us courage to confess that you

have put your hands on everyone of us,

both men and women, and have made us a

community and a sanctuary of gender equality and

justice for all people.

Amen

Pastor Lisandro Orlov

Pastoral Ecuménica VIH-SIDA

Buenos Aires.

Argentina

(Spanish: original language)

Concédenos, Señor de todas las Inclusiones,

Que tu espíritu de vida y de dignidad

nos mueva para ampliar nuestra mente y corazón,

de forma tal que podamos superar barreras,

estereotipos y prejuicios que separan.

que todas las sospechas y dudas puedan caer.

Cura nuestras exclusiones y divisiones

para que seamos signos de tu Reino

en medio de espacios de opresión y hostilidad.

Concédenos no tener miedo de confesar

que has puesto tus manos sobre cada uno de nosotras

y nosotros y nos has hecho comunidad y santuario

de equidad de género y justicia para todos y todas.

Amén.

Pastor Lisandro Orlov

Pastoral Ecuménica VIH-SIDA

Buenos Aires.

Argentina

Prayer during 16 Days Campaign

We grieve the injustices that have been perpetrated against women throughout history, and we affirm the equality that you instilled when you created humanity. We pray especially for women in the developing world, who are often most grievously affected by war, conflict, and natural disasters. In your name, Jesus, we stand up against all violence against women.

Sojourners

Prayer for Leaders in a Time of AIDS

(From Psalm 95)

Lord, You have provided your people Israel with kings and You rule over us through your Son Jesus Christ.

Today we want to submit ourselves to You once more as the only King in and over our lives.

Therefore we pray:

Let thy Kingdom come!

Make it happen in and through our lives

that our words and deeds will profess that You are our King.

Let thy Kingdom come!

Anoint the leaders in our congregation and in our church with your Holy Spirit so that their leadership may represent your loving, gracious sovereignty.

Give the leaders in our community and country the grace to become instruments of your righteousness and peace,

so that the suffering and the grieving may experience your justice

so that the oppressed may receive your protection

and the poor your help so that all may rejoice in the peace that You bring

so that all will serve You! (comp Ps 72:2-5).

Let thy Kingdom come!

So that those who are touched by HIV and aids may know

that our leaders have not forgotten them

- but are trying through word and deed to deliver those who are crying for help and who have no-one

to help to take pity on the weak and the needy

to protect those whose lives have become worthless to others (comp Ps 72:12-13).

Dear Lord, we pray that thy Kingdom will come!

Amen.

Prayer from Mudgin-Gal - Domestic Violence

Prayer against domestic violence

(Mudgin-Gal means Black Woman in Aboriginal language from the South Coast of New South Wales, is but one example of the courageous and committed work of Indigenous women in many community projects.)

Downloaded

Prayer for the Day

For the scream in the night

We pretend not to hear;

For the cutting remark

We choose to ignore.

FORGIVE US O GOD, AND OPEN OUR EARS

For the cuts and the bruises

We pretend not to see;

For the look of dull terror

We choose to avoid;

FORGIVE US O GOD, AND OPEN OUR EYES

For the quiet desperation

We pretend we imagined;

For the gossip and whispers

We choose not to check out;

FORGIVE US O GOD, AND OPEN OUR HEARTS

To the need and the longing we pretend isn't there;

To the right to a safe place we choose to deny

OPEN OUR HANDS,

THAT YOUR LOVE MAY REACH OUT

TO ALL WHO SUFFER DOMESTIC VIOLENCE THIS DAY.

Amen.

Prayer from St Georges Cathedral 24/4/09

From the website of St George Cathedral

God of Unity
All of us are affected by HIV and AIDS.
Bind us together with strong ties of love
That this church community may be a place where all can find acceptance,
May it be a place of welcome for all affected and infected by HIV/AIDS.
May it be a place where care is given and received, especially for affected and infected children and youth,
Where those who foster and adopt orphans are supported and encouraged
Where stories are told and heard,
Where fear is overcome by love,
Where you are to be found.
Amen.

Christ has no body now on earth but yours;
No hands but yours;
No feet but yours;
Yours are the eyes through which Christ's compassion looks out to the world;
Yours are the feet with which he goes about doing good;
Yours are the hands with which he blesses now.

Prayer in the Midst of AIDS

Almighty God, Father, Son and Spirit

We come to You as the Source of all that is good.

We stand before You as a church overwhelmed by HIV and AIDS, a church where there can no longer be a them and us, when

We pray for your gifts.

We come to You as the Source of life.

We stand before You as scientists and researchers seeking answers.

We pray for new ideas and open minds to find ways to protect and preserve life, from the ravages of the virus.

We come to You as the Source of light and wisdom.

We stand before you as a church with our darkness and our ignorance.

We pray for insight to respond to the moral ethical and human dilemmas, brought to the fore by the epidemic.

We come to You as the Source of peace.

We stand before you as communities torn apart by mistrust and stigma.

We pray for the ability to set aside our fear and embrace each other, in spite of our difficulties and differences.

We come to You as the Source of compassion.

We stand before you as a church full of apathy, a church that is absent in the life of those who suffer and those who care for them.

We pray for a new spirit and the will to step into the void.

We come to You as the Source of strength.

We stand before you as caregivers, medical staff and families with our fatigue, our tiredness, our despair when caring becomes too much.

We pray for support, for resources, for energy, to continue even when we think it is impossible.

We come to You as the Source of comfort.

We stand before you as people ill from the infections associated with AIDS, in pain, in discomfort, in isolation.

We pray for gentle hands to care for us, for effective medication to ease our symptoms, for loving communities to surround us.

But more than any of these, Lord,

We come to You as the Source of love.

We stand before you as people who have forgotten the meaning and the deeds of loving and being loved.

We pray for You to transform us, to renew us, and to teach us to be Christ to each other in the midst of HIV and AIDS.

Amen.

By Lyn van Rooyen at the Society for Practical Theology Annual Meeting 15 April 2005

Prayer of Commitment and Commissioning

Today and for the months ahead I commit myself:

To witness to the God of unconditional love, not of punishment through disease.
To ensure, within my area of influence, that all affected by HIV/AIDS might access compassionate, non-judgemental care, respect and support, regardless of their religion, nationality, gender, lifestyle or sexual orientation.
To witness, in my work and my life, that no one is a stranger or outsider.
To foster recognition within our churches and workplaces of the gospel of healing and liberation preached by those with HIV or AIDS.
To enable HIV prevention initiatives that are empowering, that relate to the situations of those they serve and that allow informed free and responsible choice.
To denounce all intolerance, bigotry and injustice against those affected by HIV/AIDS or otherwise made more vulnerable by the AIDS pandemic.
To work unreservedly to overcome cultural, legal or religious systems that disempower and silence women while increasing their burden of care, guilt and blame.

http://www.e-alliance.ch/media/media-3369.htm#1

Prayer of Hope in Advent

The Diakonia Council of Churches in South Africa

God of Hope

All of us are affected by HIV/AIDS.

At this time of Advent Hope,

As we prepare for the coming of your son into this world

We give thanks for signs of hope.

For growing understanding

For medical advances

For changing attitudes and behaviour

For greater awareness and concern in your church.

God of Unity

Bind us together with strong ties of love

That this church community may be a place where

All can find acceptance,

May it be a place of welcome for all affected by HIV/AIDS.

May it be a place where care is given and received, especially for affected children and youth,

Where stories are told and heard,

Where fear is overcome by love,

Where you are to be found.

Amen.

Praying about Home Based Care

Hope Carter, Prayer Coordinator for SIM - Kenya HOPE for AIDS sends out a monthly prayer letter. In the prayer letter for October 2009 she said:

"Many Biblical values that define the church are also core values that define activities in faith-based home-based care such as: establishing and building a relationship with God, forgiveness and restoration among families and friends, offering the compassion of Christ to those in need, praying for the sick, teaching about health and disease prevention, building strong marriage and family relationships, feeding the hungry, caring for children, preparing for death, grieving, and displaying the glory of God. This month please pray with us for those who are working to provide home-based care (HBC) in communities across the globe and for those who are still in need of such care. Pray for your own community every day as you pray for each of these issues surrounding HBC."

Although I have always had a profound appreciation for care givers - these prayer guidelines made me think of home based care in a new and much more multifaceted way.

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Praying the Prayer Jesus Taught 25/4/09

(Inspired by the Lord's Prayer)

By the Rev. Kelvin Sauls

Our Father…
You know me … You know about my HIV/AIDS.

Holy is your name …
    Prince of Peace in the storms of rejection
    Mighty God in the times of my weakness
    Wonderful Counselor in the times of confusion
    Everlasting Father in the times of initial and eventual death.

May Your Beloved Community come…
    Where poverty will be no more
    Where disease will be no more
    Where discrimination will be abolished
    Where justice will abound.

May Your Will become transparent in our culture…
    A culture of intolerance and indifference
    A culture of ignorance and fear
    A culture of exploitation and destruction
    A culture of xenophobia and homophobia.

Set us free to experience Your forgiveness…
    For actions taken and not taken
    For words said and not said
    For limiting your possibility within
    For not forgiving self or others.

Lead us from temptation to transformation
    The temptation of war
    The temptation of haughtiness
    The temptation of ethnocentrism
    The temptation of supremacy.

Provide us with the bounty of health
    The food pyramid, not the politics of food
    Acceptance, accessibility, and equality
    Love, hope and, faith
    Compassion, justice, and peace.

You deserve glory and honor
    For loving me with my HIV/AIDS
    For making medications possible through research and science
    For the experience of comfort from friends, family, and caregivers
    For having prepared a place for me in Abba Father's house.

AMEN for the breath I breathe.
AMEN for Your eternal breath.

Talking to You, Lord. 04/02/10

Bangkok, Feb 4, 2010. Prayer during morning devotion at Channels of Hope Facilitator Training

By Sr. Mila Azucena, D.C.

Lord Your love and mercy is never ending

Through generous people You revealed the depth of Your compassion

In serving the poor especially the sick and people living with HIV and AIDS

Whose lives seemed to be the victims of rejection, repugnance and unacceptance of society.

Give us the courage to see with our new eyes with faith and

Love Your presence in their persons, those who are afflicted, who are living in miserable and difficult situation.

Let them feel Your healing touch, that they may bear their suffering

With ease and perseverance, as they share Your suffering to save mankind on the cross.

Lord as we go on with our service to these poor people living with HIV and AIDS

We are fully convinced and believe You are there to guide and help us.

Direct our hearts to love with compassion, that they may feel your healing touch and your loving tender care.

Direct our feet to walk and visit You in their person.

Renew our spirit to live new life for the service and love for mankind.

AMEN.

Thembisa’s Prayer, Prayer of a Child

O God –

I am kneeling before you and scream without a voice

You are the only one who can see my heart torn and shred in pieces

You alone can feel my pain.

O Lord –

You count my tears and you collect them in your cup.

O Lord –

You created me and when I was born my parents called me THEMBISA meaning promise.

You are my witness - you were present when I gave the promise to my mother at the last moment in her life.

You were present when I wiped the sweat from her forehead while she was dying.

I promised that I shall be an obedient girl respecting Uncle Josh and his wife as my new parents.

I promised I shall be like a mother to my younger brothers.

I promised - O God of mercy - I promised.

I am only 15 years old and I have not broken my promise.

But I don’t know, O Lord, how long I can go on.

I think of killing myself but when I see my younger brothers, I know I have to live for their sake because of my promise.

O Lord –

you know what is happening:

Uncle Josh asks me to bring a glass of water to his bedroom almost every week-end. When I bring the glass he asks for more than water. I want to scream: NO. My body starts shaking with revulsion. But then I remember my promise that I shall be obedient.

Uncle Josh is good to us. He pays our school fees and he is kind and generous to my younger brothers.

If I speak out, what will happen to us? Uncle Vusi might chase us away.

My aunt looks at me with sad eyes when I go inside his bedroom to bring the water. She knows but she keeps silent.

Last month she has taken me to the clinic to get the injection that I may not fall pregnant because, she says, the boys in my class may force me to do certain things.

I feel so worthless and dirty. I always wanted to protect my body as the temple of your Spirit. Now I wish I had no body. I begin to hate my body.

Who can I talk to?

I am afraid to talk to Umfundisi because Uncle Josh is on the church council and gives donations to the church.

I am afraid to talk to my teacher because Uncle Josh assists with raising funds for our school.

Uncle Josh is an important and respected man in our community.

When he sees my tearful eyes he explains to me that I need to bring the water so that he remains strong and can keep working hard to support all of us.

Lord, I have seen my father and my mother dying of the unspeakable illness. I don’t want to die in the same way. Will Uncle Josh give me the deadly virus?

Lord, I am only 15. My teachers praise my work at school - I have dreams - and I want to help my younger brothers. I don’t want to die the slow death of shame.

Lord - please protect me. Don’t let it happen to me. I’ll try to endure the pain until I am old enough to support myself.

Lord - please hear my prayer - see my tears - don’t let it happen to me!

I trust in you alone.

Amen

(Drafted at a MASANGANE youth workshop in South Africa - 2001) Submitted by Renate Cochrane jrc@iafrica.com

Want Aan U Liefde is Daar Geen Einde Nie.

Hemelse Vader, ons buig voor u in eerbied en aanbidding.

Ons prys U, Here Jesus, dat U na die wêreld gekom het, sodat ons kinders van God kan word – erfgename van die ewige lewe.

Heilige Gees, ons loof U as ons Trooster en ons Leidsman op die pad van geloof

… want aan U liefde is daar geen einde nie.

Ons vra U, Here Jesus, U die bewerker van ons verlossing, skenk asseblief wysheid en insig aan die navorsers, die wetenskaplikes en die tegnici wat soek na ’n geneesmiddel vir VIGS en verwante siektes

… want aan U liefde is daar geen einde nie.

Wees by hulle – gee deursettingsvermoë - seën hulle pogings met sukses,

sodat daar vreugde kan kom vir so baie wat tans sonder hoop en uitsig is,

sodat daar lewe kan kom vir hulle wat die dood in die oë staar

… want aan U liefde is daar geen einde nie.

Genadige God, ons dink vandag aan hulle wat siek is,

veral die persone wat ly as gevolg van HIV-infeksie en VIGS

… want aan U liefde is daar geen einde nie.

Gee hulle die moed om saam met hierdie siektetoestand te lewe.

Help hulle om hulle vrese te erken en te oorwin.

Wees met hulle wanneer hulle alleen en verwerp voel.

Troos en bemoedig hulle wanneer hulle sonder hoop voel.

Raak hulle aan , o Heilige Gees, sodat hulle lewe kan vind in die lewe wat U aan hulle wil skenk – die ewige lewe

… want aan U liefde is daar geen einde nie.

Heilige en lewe-gewende God, vul ons harte en gedagtes met U liefde,

en troos ons broers en susters, ook die kinders, wat elke dag lewe saam met iemand

- ’n familielid, ’n vriend of vriendin, wat HIV–positief is, of reeds VIGS het

… want aan U liefde is daar geen einde nie.

Bind ons saam in ons pogings om om te sien na hulle behoeftes.

Help ons om getrou te antwoord op die roeping as U dissipels om die Evangelie uit te dra in woord en daad.

Verwyder vrees en vooroordeel en haat uit ons midde

… want aan U liefde is daar geen einde nie.

Hemelse Vader, vergewe ons gebrek aan aktiewe reaksie op hierdie epidemie

– op die noodkreed van mense wat wat ons nodig het.

Vul ons met U liefde en deernis, en maak ons draers van U hoop

… want aan U liefde is daar geen einde nie.

AMEN

Way of the Cross with My Beloved AIDS-Stricken Friend

AJANews 78 - April 2009

This Way of the Cross was written by Thierry Manirambona SJ, a Burundian scholastic who uses poetry and prose to draw attention to people with HIV, and translated by Mr Robert Czerny, Ottawa. It is dedicated to Jean d'Amour, a boy whom Thierry befriended at the Noël Orphanage at Nyundo. We lived together for two months, writes Thierry. He did gymnastics with me; we went scouting together, a few days. I knew he was HIV-positive. One day, he passed away, without leaving any trace. He was young, no more than 12. Now, in the sixth line of every Station, Thierry offers his friend Jean d'Amour to Jesus on the way to Calvary.

1st Station: Jesus before Pilate

Jesus, you stand before Pilate
Innocent, silent
Justice is dead among us
But you - you know why you are there
To restore justice to society
I offer you my little friend
He is dazed by the suffering facing him
Too young to understand
And heaven is silent
Remember him, help him