Inspired by Psalm 80
Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year A
Hear us!
You who are said to hear the cries of the people.
You who hold all time and all matter in Your hands.
You who knelt in the dust to make and to mould us.
Hear and heed. Come, save us!
Bring us to our senses.
Kindle the flame of love within us
that we may live.
Abandoned and lost,
we struggle and strive to no avail.
Puppets with strings cut,
our dance is limp and aimless.
Tears pool around bent ankles.
Bring us to our senses.
Kindle the flame of hope within us
that we may live.
We remember:
it was You who made us,
who formed and fed us,
who liberated and led us.
There was a time
when laughter filled our days
and contentment blessed our nights.
Hand in hand,
we laboured together
in sun and rain.
Joy and gratitude
spilled from our lips.
Purpose and peace
made light work.
All was well.
Turn Your face towards us,
God of our mothers and our fathers,
God of our grandchildren,
God of all that walks, swims or flies
upon the earth.
Bring us to our senses.
Kindle the flame of faith within us
that we may live.
Used by permission from the author.
from Psalms Redux: Poems and Prayers by Carla A Grosch-Miller, Canterbury Press, Norwich, 2014
