Litany for World AIDS Day 2015

	One:	Compassionate God, we pray on this World AIDS Day with gratitude for your love 
		that affirms the dignity and worth of each and every person.  
		We give thanks that you empower and encourage us in the struggle to stop HIV.   

	Many:	Bless us with the courage and wisdom 
		to ensure universal access to prevention, treatment, care and support 
		for all those living with and affected by HIV and AIDS 
		in our country and throughout the world. 

	One:	We pray for the millions of children who are so profoundly affected by this disease; 
		the millions of children who are HIV positive, 
		the orphans, and all those who are vulnerable and at risk.  

	Many:	May the example of Jesus’ care and concern for children 
		inspire our deepest conviction and strongest commitments to children.  
		Help us to ensure the treatment and care 
		which is vital to their health and wholeness.  

	One:	We pray for women; for HIV positive mothers who seek information and treatment 
		in order to prevent the spread of HIV; women who experience the injustices of inequality that reduce or deny them control over their own bodies; 
		women who suffer from violence and abuse; all those who are vulnerable and at risk.

	Many: 	O God, grant them the courage they need.  
		Help us to provide support and solidarity; 
		strengthen our resolve, increase the capacity of our HIV prevention efforts, 
		and guide our actions to work with others 
		to address injustices and vigorously advance gender equality.    

	One:	We remember that all of us are created in your image.  
		In the words of the Psalmist, we are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (139:14).  
		Yet, in many places throughout the world, the human rights of HIV-positive people
		—the right to health, non-discrimination and equality—are not protected.   

	Many:	May the vision of your beloved community 
		stimulate our engagement and deepen our commitment 
		to strengthen human rights so that economic status 
		no longer determines access to health care.
		Let us remove barriers to comprehensive HIV prevention, 
		Let us end discrimination and inequality based on gender, 
		gender identity or sexual orientation. 
 
	One:	We pray for all those living with and affected by HIV and AIDS
		—our families, friends, partners, caregivers and each one of us.  
		We pray especially for the millions of people who have died 
		in the course of this pandemic, 
		and the families and loved ones they have left behind. 

		[People may offer prayers and remembrances for family, friends and others.]

	One:	Hear our prayers, O God.  
		On this World AIDS Day and everyday send your healing Spirit, 
		heal the broken places, 
		restore your people and 
		give us your peace. 
		Bestow your wisdom and courage on every setting of your church, 
		on every religious community, 
		on all the people, leaders and nations of the world.  
	
All:		We acknowledge we are all affected by HIV and AIDS.  
		We look to you, O God, our way out of no way, 
		trusting that you have provided all we need to achieve your mission; 
		to live the promise to stop HIV.  
		Through Jesus, our Savior, we pray.  Amen.  

Prayer crafted by members of UCAN: UCC HIV and AIDS Network.
http://www.ucc.org/ucan_about-ucan

Copyright 2009 Wider Church Ministries, Office for Health and Wholeness Advocacy, United Church of Christ, 700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, OH  44115-1100.  Permission granted to reproduce or adapt this material for use in services of worship or church education.  All publishing rights reserved.