If we stay silent Liturgy

Written By:
Sam Hargreaves

Themes: justice, calling, intercession, sending out, chosen

Type: Powerpoint, Liturgy, Spoken Word

Bible Refs: Esth 4

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If We Stay Silent Powerpoint (2.16 mb)

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This is based on Esther 4:12-14, and was written as a response for Spring Harvest 2010. It could be used in any context where you wanted people to think through their response to injustice and the challenge to make a difference in the world.

We had the leader read the whole thing first, so people knew what they were saying, and then had the whole crowd stand and say it together. It would work well into a song about receiving God's strength to act - the worship band Trent led into 'More love, more power'.

If we remain silent,
who will rise up?

If we close our eyes
and turn our heads,
who will see the injustice?

If we wring our hands
and shuffle our feet,
who will act with mercy?

What if we were called
for such a time as this,
to see through different eyes
and move to a different drum.

Father, give us your strength,
at such a time as this,
to lead distinctive lives,
and see your Kingdom come.

Sam co-leads engageworship.org with his wife Sara. He completed the LST degree in Theology, Music and Worship, and now teaches in the department two days per week. He also co-leads RESOUNDworship.org, the free worship song website, and has led musical and creative worship at events like Spring Harvest, New Wine North and the Baptist Assembly alternative stream. Their book 'How would Jesus lead worship' was published by BRF in 2009.

Comments / Responses

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Previous Comments:

Michelle Massey

11 Apr 2010 09:45

Thank you for this prayer - it is very powerful and I used it for prayer today. I've also added it to my blog with a link back to this page attributed to yourselves...I hope you don't mind - If you do I'll remove it. Thank you again Sx

Sam Hargreaves

17 Apr 2010 16:59

Michelle - that is fine. What is your blog?

Keith Dunnett

21 Apr 2010 11:19

This is great. I can't work out how to download the powerpoint slides though, can yo help? Thanks. Keith

Sam Hargreaves

26 Apr 2010 15:18

Keith - log in to your account. Right click the 'If we stay silent PowerPoint' and choose Save As. let us know if you have any trouble.

Fiona Green

13 May 2011 15:39

Thanks, I used this at a small chapel and it really spoke to some of the folk there.

Kieran Metcalfe

20 May 2011 23:39

We used this to end our service this week - we'd been looking at Proverbs, and how often it's wise to guard our tongues, but also how that is weighed against situations where we simply must speak out. This prayer was a perfect fit!

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