WATCHING IN PRAYER is

A Sunday vigil or worship service is an act of prayer. It is a shared time of Word, silence and intercession, in which a Christian community chooses to stand before God, bringing real joys and wounds, personal and community strengths and efforts. Watching means being with our churches.

WATCHING IN PRAYER is not

The vigil and a cult on the topic is not a demonstration, it is not a debate, it is not a political stance.
Precisely because it is community prayer, it creates a space for change: entrust to God what hurts and ask the churches to be home, a safe place capable of listening.

The vigils or Sunday services to overcome homotransbiphobia take place in the month of May; each community can freely choose the most suitable day to celebrate them.

Four pillars

• Word of God (short and selected readings)
• Real silence (space to listen)
• Intercession (praying for people and communities)
• Ecclesial care (sobriety, respect, protection)

Four golden rules

• Sobriety: few, precise words
• Nonviolence: no one is humiliated
• Communion: “here you can pray without fear”
• Clear times: 60 minutes
  

Avoid

• Aggressive slogans
• Ironies that hurt
• Generic labels (“you are…”)
• Unnecessary names and details
• Open microphone without moderation

Every year a verse accompanies the vigils

An ecumenical and interconfessional commission proposes an initial selection of the biblical verses reported to us, followed by an online vote open to all.
For 2026, Isaiah 43.1 was chosen: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you, I have called you by name". Say "i called you by name"returns personal recognition. The verb "redeem" recalls the go'el, the one who intervenes to restore freedom and dignity. He doesn't deny the pain, but says he doesn't have the final say. It becomes a shared responsibility: call each other by name and say, with words and gestures, “don't worry, you are not alone".

Safeguarding and protection

In some countries or contexts, publicly holding a vigil to overcome homotransbiphobia may expose people to legal, social, or physical risks.
In these cases it is advisable to avoid public announcements, precise indications and any detail that makes people identifiable.
Protecting people is not a lack of courage, but an act of responsibility and care. no one Should be exposed to risk in order to pray.

Welcome and introduction
Background music, discreet welcome and delivery of lyrics.
A representative explains the meaning of the vigil: prayer for overcoming homotransbiphobia, time of Word, silence and intercession, attention to the dignity of every person. Possible request not to take photos or videos. Entry into prayer. If expected, brief greeting from the host minister.

Liturgy of the Word
One or more biblical readings with psalm. A moment of silence after the readings. Brief invitation to listen to the Word without defenses.

"Faithful God, who hears the cry of your sons and daughters, tonight we come to you with what is fragile and real: wounds, fears, silences, longing for home. Give us a clean look, a sober word, a heart capable of caring. Let this vigil be a place of communion and peace, and let our churches be a home for all. Amen."

"Lord Jesus, you were not afraid of wounded people. Teach us to watch with you: listen, do not judge, protect, do not hurt. Stay with us. Amen."

"Lord, when we have remained silent in the face of words that hurt, have mercy on us. Christ, when we have preferred comfort to listening, have mercy on us. Lord, when we have confused truth with harshness, have mercy on us."

For people who have suffered violence or exclusion because of their orientation or identity, may they find protection, justice and peace, we pray.

For families who experience misunderstandings and fear, that they may learn a love that listens and does not humiliate, we pray.

For Christian communities, so that they know how to be safe places, where no one has to hide to pray, let us pray.

For those who have pastoral responsibilities, that they may have wisdom, sober words and the courage to care, we pray.

For those who are tempted by contempt or violence, to change their ways and learn the dignity of others, we pray.

For those who feel distant from the faith because they are wounded by ecclesial experiences, so that they encounter outstretched hands and not walls, let us pray.

For young people, so that they grow up in a culture of respect and non-violence, let us pray.

For us gathered here, so that what we pray becomes a lifestyle and daily responsibility, let us pray.

Prayer for community peace: "Holy Spirit, make our churches capable of listening. Where there is fear, give trust; where there is rigidity, give wisdom; where there is wound, give care; where there is anger, give non-violence. Let no one feel like a stranger in the house of prayer. Amen."
Concluding prayer: "God of life, we entrust to you wounded people and those who feel alone. We entrust to you families and communities. Give us the grace of right words and concrete gestures, so that our faith does not become a burden but a home. Bless our path and make us instruments of peace. Amen."

Prayers of those present: At the entrance you are given a piece of paper on which you can freely write a prayer to place anonymously in a container. During the vigil, some are read, chosen with discretion. If a prayer contains precise personal data, avoid reading it.

Final song and blessing (5 minutes):Simple song, then final blessing or prayer. Possible sending (one sentence): “Let us bring out of here what we have prayed for: sober words, gestures of respect, care for people.

Tell us about your vigil

If you are organizing a vigil or have already celebrated one, please let us know. Collecting this information allows us to give visibility to the vigils, strengthen the network between communities and support those who, in different contexts, choose to pray and walk against homotransbiphobia.

WWW.GIONATA.ORG/INVEGLIA/FORM

The mailing list it is the main information channel for receiving news in English.

To register just write to progetti@gionata.org with the subject “mail list subscription”.