Mothers call for the Nigerian president to help return girls kidnapped from a government secondary school in Chibok. Source: AP
Earlier today, the Samuel DeWitt proctor conference released liturgy resources for congregations to incorporate into their worship experience, beginning Sunday May 11th. In an email SDPC General Secretary, Dr. Iva E. Carruthers shared:
Along with you, we remain prayerful for the safe return of our daughters who have been so violently removed from their families and community. We hope that the attached litany, We Speak Your Names, will be a valuable resource for your worship and ministry experiences this Sunday and the coming weeks. We will continue to share other resources that might keep us all informed and more faithful to God’s will for peace and justice in this world
A Litany for the Stolen, Enslaved, and Raped Daughters of Nigeria
Weep for the Daughters of Zion, oh people! We weep for them and for the stolen daughters and sisters of Nigeria! Cry for all the daughters and sisters stolen, enslaved, and raped across the ages! We cry for you, daughters of Africa and daughters of God! We pray to the God of heaven for justice!
We speak your names!
We mourn and cry loud because of the vicious attacks that claim lives and human dignity. Mourn, people! You are OUR daughters! You are ALL our daughters! We say, SHAME on any who have harmed you and harm you still. We pray for justice! We demand it! Of the militant slavers who kidnapped you and who harm your spirits! We demand it of governments who can help!
We speak your names! We call you sacred! We say you’re blessed. We will NOT stop looking for you! We will continue to pray for you! We will be a part of your healing as you return, daughters! For you are OUR daughters and sisters! You are ALL our daughters and sisters!
We speak your names! We call you sacred! We call you blessed and holy!
We pray to the God of love to wrap you in tender mercies and to protect your soul in your captivity, daughters! We pray for your safe return! We will NOT stop praying!
We will NOT stop looking for you! For you are our daughters and sisters! You are ALL our daughters and sisters!
Weep, oh people! And work for justice! Cry loud and do not cease to worry heaven and earth until our daughters are saved! Work, oh people! And do not stop until our daughter’s lives are redeemed from the slavers, from the kidnappers!
We pray for the kidnappers that their hearts will not harden and that they will be convicted to do what is just and moral. We pray for justice! We pray they will be merciful! We pray they will repent! We pray they will be stopped! Daughters, we will not stop praying and working!
We speak your names! You are sacred, our daughters and sisters! Daughters of Nigeria and the entire world! We will pray for justice! We will live for justice! We will work for it! For you are OUR daughters! You are ALL our daughters!
We speak your names! We call you sacred! We call you precious! You are OUR daughters! You are ALL our daughters! Amen! Ase! And it is so!
© Valerie Bridgeman
“We Cannot Rest”
Restless
Unable to complete already unfocused prayers
Where are you sisters
I ponder
I want to run across the waters to find you
Can’t sleep hoping breaking news will break…in
Do you sleep
Or are you restless, too
Unable to complete already unfocused prayers
Then dream little sister
With eyes wide awake, rebuking the night
We cannot rest
Until…
Freedom comes, for…
All
Our sisters…
Girls…
Daughters…
& Sons.
We are running across the waters
We are running…
To you.
To Love.
By Rev. Waltrina Middleton
National Minister for Youth Advocacy and Leadership Formation
United Church of Christ
The Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference, Inc. (SDPC) represents a cross section of progressive African American faith leaders and their congregations in the United States. Visit them online at http://sdpconference.info/
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