Drop, drop, slow tears,and bathe those beauteous feet,which brought from heaven the newsand Prince of Peace. Cease not, wet eyes,his mercies to entreat;to cry for vengeance, sindoth never cease. In your deep floods,drown all my faults and fears;nor let his eye see sin,but through my tears. – Phineas Fletcher (1582-1650) – A Good Friday hymn. – While not exactly a…
Lord, why did you tell me to love all humanity, my brothers and sisters? I have tried, but I come back to you, frightened… Lord, I was so peaceful at home, I was so comfortably settled. It was well furnished, and I felt cozy. I was at peace. Sheltered from the wind, the rain, the mud. I would have stayed…
A short sigh to God the Father… O God, Father of all poor, miserable souls! Give us all your grace and enlighten us with your truth. To you be praise, glory and thanks forever. Amen – Martin Luther (1483-1546AD)
God of the destitute, prune our lives of all that we cling to. God of true wealth, draw us through the narrow gate of loss. God of Yeshua, living in those we neglect, through their generosity turn us to repentance, that we may be forgiven. Amen. – Jim Cotter.
Good and Gracious God You are Lord of creation, by and through you Word all things came into being. Creator God, we pray for those areas of our country where drought has lingered long and where the land has become grey and desolate with waiting. Lord, pour out your blessings of rain upon the parched and thirsty regions of our…
Look at me, O God, and deal with my jealousy. I confess there are times when I would rather your work not done than to see another do it better than I could perform it. Forgive me, loving God, and dispossess me of this evil demon. Please give me humility to learn from others, not to conceitedly outshine them but…
Weep, weep for those Who do the work of the Lord With a high look And a proud heart. Their voice is lifted up In the streets, and their cry is heard. The bruised reed, they break By their great strength, and the smoking flux, They trample. Weep not for the quenched (For God will hear their cry And the…
Lord God, Without your promise I could not endure this sorrow. Only the promise of your presence Enables me to carry on in these lonely times. Only your grace preserves me as I mourn. Do not let me mourn without hope! You have taken care of me in the past, Now let me be carried in your mercy. Give me…
Love And Lament On Australia Day Dear God, Thanks for ‘Straya’. For cricket and barbies at the beach, For the bush and the open sky, for our simmering summer! I truly do love Your ‘land of the long weekend’. Today I am filled with love and lament for ‘Straya’. I pray for those who ‘Straya’ has hurt: For…
O God, I am struck down to my lowest. Pain consumes my world. The more I think of it the worse it is. It beggars my brain, it fogs my senses, It reduces my world to a searing endless struggle. I call out to you, Jesus, The crucified, betrayed, buried, descended One, You bore this pain, You lived this pain,…
(A Reflection on Psalm 119) My soul lies cleaving to the dust, Lord, give me life divine, From vain desires and every lust, Turn off these eyes of mine. I need the influence of thy grace To speed me in thy way, Lest I should loiter in my race, Or turn my feet astray. When sore afflictions…
(A Reflection On Psalm 102) Hear me, O God, nor hide thy face; But answer, lest I die; Hast thou not built a throne of grace To hear when sinners cry? My days are wasted like the smoke Dissolving in the air; My strength is dried, my heart is broke, And sinking in despair. My…