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:Â
We remember Your voice.Â
We remember Your fire.Â
But now—Â
You are still.
Leader:Â
We do not accuse a stranger.Â
We plead with our God.Â
We do not shout into the void.Â
We whisper into Your silence.
All:Â
Awake, O Lord.Â
Rouse Yourself.Â
We are Yours.Â
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:Â
This ache is covenantal.Â
This protest is praise.Â
We name the silenceÂ
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:Â
We do not singÂ
Because pain is gone.Â
We singÂ
Because promise remains.
Leader:Â
This is not doubt.Â
This is devotion.Â
This is not despair.Â
This is the song.
All:Â
Rise up, O God.Â
Redeem us.Â
The sting is real.Â
But so is the song.
Litany to the God who appreciates a protest