By Jose Kuttianimattathil
Ecumenical Worship Service for India – For Justice, Accountability and Electoral Integrity
[This worship service is intended for Christians of different denominations. Local communities are encouraged to adapt the language, responses, readings and hymns in consultation with the participating churches, while preserving its central themes of prayer, truth, justice, accountability and commitment to the common good.]
Preparation
[A simple outline of the map of India is prepared in the front or central part of the prayer hall. During the worship service four individuals will place flowers on the map and an elder will place a lighted candle at the base of the map.]
- Introduction and Greeting
Commentator: Our beloved nation is going through a critical period. Many people across India, young and old, and from different walks of life, are expressing deep concern about justice, electoral integrity, accountability and the protection of our constitutional rights. These concerns call us to prayer, discernment and responsible action.
St Paul, in his First Letter to Timothy, urges us to offer prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings for all people, including those in positions of authority, so that we may lead peaceful and dignified lives (1 Tim 2:1–2).
As Christians belonging to different denominations, let us unite our hearts in prayer for our nation, our people and our leaders. May God enlighten our consciences, strengthen our commitment to truth and justice, and help us build a society in which the dignity and rights of every person are respected
Entrance Hymn: Any suitable hymn like “The World Stands in Need of Liberation.”
Leader: The grace, love and peace of God our Father, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit be with you all.
All: And also with you. - Penitential Service
Leader: As we begin our worship service let us beg God’s forgiveness for our sins and for the many injustices and malpractices that are happening and ask for deliverance.
Response: Lord, save your people.
– Lord, be merciful, R. Lord, save your people.
– From all evil,
– From all sin,
– From the snares of the devil,
– From anger, hatred and all ill-will,
– From the spirit of injustice,
– From the suppression of truth and the deliberate spread of falsehood,
– From electoral malpractice, the buying of votes and every attempt to undermine the freedom of voters,
– From the temptation to look away from corruption out of indifference,
– From apathy and the erosion of democratic accountability,
– From the manipulation of Constitutional Institutions,
– From the abuse of power,
– From intimidation and unjust police and paramilitary action,
– From our silence in the face of injustice and our fear of speaking the truth,
– From the temptation to defend wrongdoing when it serves our own interests,
– From the scourge of natural calamities,
– From all that leads us away from you and from the fullness of life,
Leader: Heavenly Father, look mercifully upon us and forgive our sins and the sins of our country. May justice and truth flourish in our land. Through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
3. Listening and Responding to God’s Word
Commentator: Through Prophet Isaiah God tells us that it is the responsibility and duty of each one of us to do what is within our possibility to loosen the chains of injustice, untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free, and break every yoke. Let us prayerfully listen to the words of the Prophet.
Reader: Isaiah 58: 5-10
[An alternate text that could be used is Amos 5:21-24 — The metaphor of water portrays justice and righteousness not as static concepts, but as an unstoppable, life-giving force that sweeps away corruption and brings healing to a nation].
Psalm Response: Psalm 121 (I lift up my eyes to the mountains …)
The psalm could be prayed in two choirs or recited by an individual with the assembly responding with the following antiphon after each verse:
Antiphon: My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.
Commentator: In the Gospel of Luke Jesus proclaims that he is the deliverer of the poor, the weak, the oppressed and those who have been wronged. Let us receptively listen to the hopeful words of the Lord.
Reader: Lk 4:16-21
Leader: Brief sermon.
4. Intercessory Prayer
Leader: The psalmist tells us that “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labour in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain” (Ps 127:1). With trust and confidence in the Lord who cares for us and watches over us let us raise to him our prayers and petitions.
Our response: Lord, hear our prayer.
Reader: For the Leaders of our churches, that they may assiduously work for the establishment of the Kingdom of God on earth, a “Kingdom of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Rom 14:17), let us pray to the Lord.
Reader: For the world leaders, that setting aside parochial agenda they may work for the upliftment and wellbeing of all, especially the poor and the marginalised, let us pray to the Lord.
Reader: For our President, Prime Minister and all those entrusted with legislative, executive and judicial responsibilities, that they may exercise their authority with humility, wisdom and integrity, uphold the Constitution, protect the rights of all citizens, especially the vulnerable, and work for the common good, let us pray to the Lord.
Reader: For the members and officials of the Election Commission of India, that they may discharge their responsibilities impartially, transparently and courageously, safeguarding the integrity of electoral processes and strengthening public confidence in free and fair elections, let us pray to the Lord.
Reader: For the Supreme Court of India and the entire judiciary, that judges, advocates and all who serve the administration of justice may act independently and impartially, uphold the Constitution, protect fundamental rights and ensure that justice is accessible to all, let us pray to the Lord.
Reader: For all in the media, that they may act as true guardians of democracy showing no favouritism, proclaiming the truth, challenging the wrongdoers and promoting reconciliation, let us pray to the Lord.
Reader: For the Law Enforcement Personnel, that they may carry out their duties conscientiously and without fear, protecting the rights of people without bowing to pressure tactics, let us pray to the Lord.
Reader: For all who have abused power, denied people their rights, manipulated electoral processes, spread falsehoods or unjustly detained others, that the truth may come to light, those responsible may acknowledge their wrongdoing, and justice and reparation may be achieved, let us pray to the Lord.
Reader: For all who peacefully raise their voices in defence of justice, electoral integrity, accountability and constitutional rights, that they may remain courageous and steadfast, speak the truth, respect the dignity of others, resist hatred and violence, and persevere in their struggle for the common good, let us pray to the Lord.
Reader: For all of us gathered here, that we may refuse to be indifferent to injustice, examine our own prejudices, verify the information we share, defend the dignity and rights of every person, and contribute courageously and peacefully to the building of a just society, without discrimination based on caste, religion, colour, language or political affiliation, let us pray to the Lord.
[Other Intentions could be added]
Leader: God of love and justice, listen to the prayers and petitions we have made from the depths of our hearts. In your wisdom, grant us what we need to come closer to you and closer to one another. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
- Symbolic Gesture of Entrusting India Followed by Commitment
Commentator: We have entrusted our nation to God with our words and prayers. Let us now seal this act with a symbolic offering—a gesture of love and surrender from the heart of our land and its people. Now, four individuals representing the diversity of India’s people and regions will come forward and place on the map of India four flowers of different colours representing our shared hopes for truth, justice, peace and unity.
[Four individuals come forward with flowers and stand near the map of India. Each of the four individuals reads one paragraph each of the following prayer.] - From Kashmir to Kanyakumari,
from the deserts of Rajasthan to the forests of the Northeast,
we place our beloved country
in your loving hands, O Heavenly Father. -
Receive the hopes and wounds,
the dreams and prayers of our people.
Remember those who suffer injustice,
those who seek the truth,
and those who courageously work for a more just society. -
Be our guide in times of confusion,
our strength in the face of wrongdoing,
our comfort in suffering,
our courage in difficulties,
and our companion in every struggle for justice and peace. -
Give us the grace not only to pray for our nation
but also to work faithfully for its renewal.
May truth prevail, justice flourish,
and the dignity of every person be respected.
All: Amen.
[The four individuals place the flowers within the map of India.]
Commentator: An elder of our community will now place a lighted candle beside the map of India. This candle represents the light of truth and hope. As the Indian national motto reminds us, Satyameva Jayate — Truth Alone Triumphs. May the light of truth dispel the darkness of falsehood and injustice, and may we ourselves become bearers of that light through our words and actions.
[An elder lights a candle and places it beside the map of India at the base]
Leader: Having prayed for our nation, let us commit ourselves to becoming instruments of truth, justice and peace.
All: With God’s help, we commit ourselves to speak the truth, reject falsehood, respect the dignity of every person, stand with those who suffer injustice, defend the rights of all, and work peacefully and courageously for a just and accountable society.
Leader: May God give us the wisdom to discern what is right, the courage to do what is right, and the perseverance to remain faithful to the common good.
All: Amen
6. Concluding Prayers
Leader: Let us pause for a moment of silent prayer, entrusting all our personal intentions, our families, our leaders, all who are protesting for justice and accountability, and our country to the watchful care of God.
[Moment of silent prayer.]
Leader: Let us entrust all our prayers and aspirations to the Father in the words that Jesus has taught us.
All: Our Father …
Leader: May Almighty God bless us, protect our nation, and lead us all to everlasting life. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
All: Amen
Leader: Go forth in peace, to live in truth, to demand justice, and to be witnesses of integrity in our land.
All: Thanks be to God.
Concluding Hymn: “Into that Heaven of Freedom” or “We Shall Overcome,” or any other appropriate hymn.