Tag: Meme

In these our days of turmoil,
of restlessness and complaint,
we accuse and betray one another,
lashing out in the fury of pain.

We set on one another with greed,
we persecute with baying and clamour.
We see slaughter and our hearts writhe,
the horrors of dying overwhelm us.

Violence reigns in the streets of the city,
vicious dogs snarl at the stranger.
Fraud flits through the market place,
greed wins softly behind baize doors.

My eyes flash wild with horror,
my limbs quake and I cannot still them.
My heart grows cold through fear,
the ice of death grips me.

I said. O for the wings of a dove,
that I might fly away and be at rest.
I yearn to flee to the mountains,
to make my dwelling in the wilderness. . .

I cast my burden on you, O God,
and you will sustain and encourage me.
I will call from the midst of my groaning,
you will redeem me to healing and peace. . .

Your arms are wide and welcoming,
in your presence we are relaxed,
and feel most strangely at home.

~ Jim Cotter, based on Psalm 55

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Listening Lord,
listen now.
Speaking God,
speak to me now.
I am crushed by fear,
weighed down with worry,
with no sign of relief in sight.

I am heart-sick;
death-dreading;
flung into a nightmare world.
Hunted.
Hounded.
Lost in a labyrinth of death.

If I could fly away, Lord;
make for the skies like a bird;
I’d be off in a moment—
off to some far-flung Heaven
beyond the reach of this hell.

Here I am,
dreaming of escape
while cities burn;
the innocent suffer;
as evil spins its web
around the world—
an encircling darkness;
a pall over every living thing. . .

In distress,
I open my heart to You, Lord.
I pour out its treasure
into Your open hands—
until fear subsides
and my spirit rests.

I take comfort in the knowledge
that this suffering will one day end;
that evil will not have the final word.

Come quickly, Lord Jesus.
All my hope is in You.

~ Smith & Wilt, based on Psalm 55

Art of Kreg Yingst