SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES DURING SERVICES

  • Use Psalm 116 as a dramatic reading, interspersing brief news accounts or data on family violence between the verses. Have women and men, boys and girls, young and old as readers so that the "voices" of those celebrating deliverance accurately portray the spectrum of family violence victims.

  • Include a moment of silence or a candlelight service for victims of domestic violence.

  • Include testimony from a victim of domestic violence, "How God helped me through my time of trouble." (or something similar).

  • Include the following prayer:
      "Lord, there are homes in our community where women and children live in fear of violence. For them, home is not a place of peace and love. It is a place of danger and pain. Help them, Lord, give them strength to endure. Help them find a place of quiet acceptance in which to rest their tired spirits."

      "Lord, there are also in our community people who turn their back upon those in abusive situations. Those who know and yet do nothing to help end the suffering. Whisper into their ears, Lord, let them hear of your love for all peoples. Open their hearts to the pain of others."

      "Lord, we hear the voices of our children crying. Help us turn their tears to laughter. We see terror in the faces of our sisters, Lord. Help us turn their fear into hope. Give us courage to confront abusers, Lord, for we do not know another's pain. Give us strength to endure, Lord, for the battle will be long. We put our trust in You, Lord; for peace in our world will come only through peace in our hearts and our homes. Amen."

  • Relevant Scripture references:
      I John 4:18: "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love."

      Proverbs 22:24: "Do not associate with a man given to anger, or go with a hot-tempered man, lest you learn his ways, and find a snare for yourself."

      Proverbs 29:22: "An angry man stirs up strife, and a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression." Jeremiah 22:3: "Thus says the Lord, "Do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of his oppressor the one who had been robbed. Do no wrong or violence to the alien, the fatherless or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place."

      Colossians 3:8: "…put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth."

    PRAYER:

      Creator, Spirit of Life and Love, we ask that you help us become more aware of those who have suffered and continue to suffer from violence in their homes. We mourn those who have died, we celebrate with those who have survived, and stand in support and solidarity with those who work to end all forms of violence in society. We commit ourselves to the work of building a non-violent world. With your help we can bring the vision of peace into every home. Amen.

    RESPONSIVE PRAYER:

    ONE Creator God, Spirit of Life, we reflect upon the reality of domestic violence in our community and our country. Violence in the home is a betrayal of our covenant to create a community of love. Today we join in prayer for an end to all violence, especially in the home. We remember those who have died because of violent relationships, and we pray:

    ALL Spirit of life, give them peace.

    ONE We remember children torn and betrayed, because of violent homes, yet still loving and strong, and we pray:

    ALL Spirit of life, give them peace.

    ONE We remember those belittled, brought-low, betrayed by violent relationships, and we pray:

    ALL Spirit of life, give them peace.

    ONE We remember those raped, abused, broken-hearted because of violence in their lives, and we pray:

    ALL Spirit of life, give them peace.

    ONE We remember all who work to heal the broken-hearted, to lift the down-trodden, to comfort the sorrowful, to shelter the homeless, and we pray:

    ALL Spirit of life, give them peace.

    ONE Creator God, free all your people from the bonds of violence and oppression, and give us peace.

    • Return to Domestic Violence Index