Opening Prayer and Scripture for Class

“Litany of Rejoicing”

Cape Town, South Africa

An African Prayer Book

Ed. Desmond Tutu

Leader: For rebirth and resilience,

People: Blessed by God;

Leader: For the spiritually humble,

People: Glory to God, hallelujah;

Leader: For all who are hungry and thirsty for justice,

People: Praise Him and magnify Him forever;

Leader: For all who are banned for speaking the truth.

People: Blessed be God;

Leader: For all who triumph over their bitter circumstance

People: Glory to God, hallelujah!

Leader: For all who risk reputation, livelihood and life itself for Christ's sake and the gospel;

People: All praise and all glory; this is God's kingdom; praise Him and love Him forever. AMEN.

Psalm 68:1-6

May God arise, may his enemies be scattered;    may his foes flee before him. May you blow them away like smoke—    as wax melts before the fire,    may the wicked perish before God. 3 But may the righteous be glad    and rejoice before God;    may they be happy and joyful.

 4 Sing to God, sing in praise of his name,
   extol him who rides on the clouds;
   rejoice before him—his name is the LORD.
5 A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows,
   is God in his holy dwelling.
6 God sets the lonely in families,
    he leads out the prisoners with singing;
    but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.