Arouse Yourself, why do You sleep, O Lord? Awake, do not reject us forever. Why do You hide Your face And forget our affliction and our oppression? For our soul has sunk down into the dust; Our body cleaves to the earth. Rise up, be our help, And redeem us for the sake of Your lovingkindness. (Psalms 44:23-26)
For those who trust enough to protest
Instead of the buzz of busy wings we hear this litany.
Leader:
Only the faithful say,
“Why are You sleeping?”
Only the beloved cry,
“Rouse Yourself.”
People:
We remember Your voice.
We remember Your fire.
But now—
You are still.
Leader:
We do not accuse a stranger.
We plead with our God.
We do not shout into the void.
We whisper into Your silence.
All:
Awake, O Lord.
Rouse Yourself.
We are Yours.
We are waiting.
Do Not Reject Us / Do Not Hide Your Face
Leader:
Only the chosen ask,
“Why do You reject?”
Only the seen can feel
Your hidden face.
People:
We are not cast off.
But we feel cast down.
We are not forgotten.
But we feel unseen.
unseen.
Leader:
This ache is covenantal.
This protest is praise.
We name the silence
Because we know Your voice.
All:
Do not reject us.
Do not hide.
We trust You still.
We seek Your face.
Rise Up / Redeem Us
Leader:
Only the remembered say,
“Rise up.”
Only the redeemed cry,
“Redeem us.”
People:
We do not sing
Because pain is gone.
We sing
Because promise remains.
Leader:
This is not doubt.
This is devotion.
This is not despair.
This is the song.
All:
Rise up, O God.
Redeem us.
The sting is real.
But so is the song.
Litany to the God who appreciates a protest
Life is Fun, But Not a Joke 