Litany for Canada Day - Written by Scott Knarr and Tanya Ramer
Leader 1: O Canada, a people of many colours and many faiths.
Leader 2: Give to the emperor the things that are emperor's and to God the things that are God's. (Mark 12:17)
People: The Lord has established his kingdom in the heavens, and his kingdom on earth.
Leader 1: O Canada, a land where every person is not yet free.
Leader 2: We hold the truth, that all people are created equal.
People: And Peter opened his mouth and said, "Truly I perceive that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who stands in awe of God and does what is right is acceptable to God. (Acts 10:34-35)
Leader 1: O Canada, a place we are called to share with others.
Leader 2: Give me your tired, your poor,
your oppressed yearning to breathe free.
Send these, the homeless, the lost and forgotten, to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!
People: You shall not oppress a stranger; you know the heart of a stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. (Exodus 23:9)
Leader 1: O Canada, a community of differing opinions and privileges.
Leader 2: We pray for freedom of thought, religion, opinion, and expression. When these freedoms are infringed upon, help us find justice and compassion for all people. Where we respond an eye for an eye, we pray your vision of justice, mercy, and forgiveness may reign.
People: He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8)
Leader 1: O Canada, a country of vast prairies, majestic mountains and plentiful lakes and rivers.
Leader 2: In a world where we assume control over our own destinies, you invite us to partner with you for the good of all creation. Where the skies are grey, may your light shine through; where the waters our murky, may your living waters flow; where your lands are parched of their natural resources, may their be renewal.
People: Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it. Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy. (Psalm 96:11-12)
Leader 1: O Canada, a home full of promise, hopes and dreams.
Leader 2: As we strive to be in mission with others, may we flavour the path we seek with kindness and goodness. May we meet our neighbour in fellowship and truth.
People: You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but to be thrown out and trampled under foot. (Matthew 5:13)
Leader 1: O Canada, a diverse past which shapes our common future.
Leader 2: Almighty God...has marked us with the cross of Christ for ever, inviting us to go [out of this place to] share the good news of hope, peace, justice, and love for all.
People: Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’* (Matthew 28: 19-20)