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From “Common Prayer: A Liturgy For Ordinary Radicals” (July 26th p. 372-373)

On July 26, 1990, US President George Bush signed the world’s first civil rights law for people with disabilities.  Since its signing in 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act has served as legal protection for equal opportunity in all aspects of life, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency for people with disabilities.

O Lord, let my soul rise up to meet you
as the day rises to meet the sun.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever.  Amen.

Come let us bow down and bend the knee: let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.

Make us one with your poor, O Lord: that we might see the salvation of our God.

Psalm 119:121-25
I have done what is just and right: do not deliver me to my oppressors.
Be surety for your servant’s good: let not the proud oppress me.
My eyes have failed from watching for your salvation: and for your righteous promise.
Deal with your servant according to your loving-kindness: and teach me your statutes.
I am your servant; grant me understanding: that I may know your decrees.

Make us one with your poor, O Lord: that we might see the salvation of our God.

1 Samuel 2:27-36        Acts 26:1-23

Make us one with your poor, O Lord: that we might see the salvation of our God.

Hear these words of L’Arche founder Jean Vanier: “People may come to our communities because they want to serve the poor; they will only stay once they have discovered that they themselves are the poor.”

Prayers for Others

Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil, for thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

Lord, thank you for using the foolish to confound the wise and the weak ones to shame the strong.  Help us live with the shrewdness of serpents and the innocence of doves.  Keep our feet from fatigue, our spirits from despair, and our hands from failing to rise in praise to you.  Amen.

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, 
 wherever he may send you. 
May he guide you through the wilderness, 
 protect you through the storm.
May he bring you home rejoicing,
 at the wonders he has shown you.
May he bring you home rejoicing,
 once again into our doors.  Amen

Photo by Rachel Cook on Unsplash