PRESTON & SOUTH RIBBLE FAIRTRADE GROUP

 

PRAYERS, REFLECTIONS AND POEMS
For use in a service with a Fairtrade theme

Help us Lord..

Help us Lord...

As we stand together...
for the ideals and practice of fair trade
for the welfare of grassroots craft workers

Help us Lord...

As we stand together...
against child labour
against the exploitation of craft workers, farmers and growers.

Help us Lord...

As we stand together for fair business.

Based on Traidcraft 21st birthday reflections from Moon Sharma, Tara Projects, India.

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Making the Connection

Think of the difference fair trade brings,
the dignity of wages for work that is valued.
Pride in the history of learning to grow,
to carve, to stitch: that sense of purpose.

Think of the power of a coffee bean,
the taste of satisfaction. Crops grown,
enjoyed by others, appreciated,
giving the pleasure of making plans.

Think of the fingers that made that stitch,
weaving us together, thread to thread,
touch upon touch, smile meeting smile.
Imagine the dream and feel it taking shape.

Think of connecting hope with reality,
one world with another, lives and hearts
and voices in a joyful celebration.
Rejoice in the difference fair trade brings.

Fiona Ritchie Walker

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Tilt The Scales……

Tilt the scales,
O God of the mustard seed:
That the poor shall see justice.

Share the feast,
O God of Eden's abundant garden:
That each crop may fetch a fair price.

Upset the tables,
O God of the upside-down Kingdom:
That the least can benefit from their trade.

Open our eyes,
O God of life in all its fullness:
That we may learn to walk the way of your son, tilting, sharing, upsetting this world

Not satisfied
until the products we bring to our table
Give a better deal, to all who hunger for one.

In His name, Amen.

A Prayer For Fairtrade Fortnight 2001

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I Dare To Pray Lord

I dare to pray, Lord let the world be changed,
For I long to see the end of poverty.
I dare to pray, Lord let the rules be changed,
For I long to see trade bring justice to the poor.
I dare to pray, Lord let my life be changed,
For I long to bring hope where good news is needed.
In the strength of your Spirit and inspired by your compassion.
I make this promise to work for change,
And wait confidently for the day when You make all things new.

Amen

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Dreaming

Who does not dream of doing great things in life?
of blazing a trail across the heavens?
Like everybody, we too dream dreams.

Yet, sometimes mocked by the immensity of the problems,
sometimes discouraged by the lack of resources,
there is a danger that this dream might fade
into a nightmare of cynicism and pessimism.

So, rather than wait for that great elusive
opportunity to illuminate the skies,
we decide to light small lamps and lessen the darkness.

Julia Esquivel from Threatened with Resurrection
Taken from Traidcraft 21 Years of Fairtrade

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God of Justice

We are here, Lord, because we believe in justice.
It is your gift and our struggle.
Help us to work for justice in our own lives
in our nation and in the world.

God of justice, lead us on.

We are here, Lord, because we believe in unity.
It is your gift and our struggle.
Help us to build bridges, to reach out
in solidarity, in sisterhood and brotherhood.

Lord, make us one.

We are here, Lord, because we believe in peace.
It is your gift and our struggle.
Help us change the injustice and inequalities
that destroy true peace.

From an Action For World Development Service
Taken from Traidcraft 21 Years of Fairtrade