Litany of Complaint from Enriching Our Worship 5

From Enriching Our Worship 5: Many of these prayers and liturgies may be adapted for times like these.

Each worshiper should adopt the posture most helpful to the full expression of his or her grief

• One: Hear the cries of your people, O God.
• Many: We will lament and not hold back.
• One: We will refuse to be comforted.
• Many: Until we have made known to you our sorrow.
• One: We are bereft.
• Many: Our souls cleave to the dust.
• One: Our eyes are wasted with grief.
• Many: We are drenched with tears.
• One: Our hearts melt like wax.
• Many: Our souls melt away for sorrow.
• One: We are poured out like water.
• Many: Our bodies are racked.
• One: Our eyes have failed for watching for your promise.
• Many: When will you comfort us?
• One: We open our mouths and pant in pain.
• Many: Why do you stand so far off, O God, and hide yourself in time of trouble?
• One: Our eyes shed streams of tears.
• Many: Our indignation consumes us.
• One: We cry out to you.
• Many: We grow weary with our groaning.
• One: Early in the morning we call to you.
• Many: Let our cry come before you, O God.
• One: Deliver us according to your promise of mercy.

A brief silence is kept.

• One: O God, we wait for you.
• Many: More than sentries wait for the morning, our souls wait for you alone.