Luke 21.25-36

Tune: Winchester New (Ride on, ride on in majesty)

O Christ the truly human One,
the one true friend of humankind,
these times and troubles make us fear
that, sadly, you’re no longer here.

For wars drag on and death tolls rise,
and despots spread their trumped-up lies,
and would-be saviours tout their wares,
and goodness seems confined to prayers.

For even nature’s lost its beat
with hurricanes and searing heat,
with glaciers melting, dying trees,
and wildfires raging where they please.

O Christ, we need you here and now
that you may rescue us, somehow,
to end the tyrannies of greed,
and peace and justice now reseed.

And if, through us, you’d start afresh,
let us all strive to end the mess,
and spend ourselves to build anew
a world that’s fit to welcome you.

freely available for use

Photo:  ‘Jazz’ by Gary Alsum, Loveland, Colorado, sculpture garden; taken by Ana Gobledale