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How on God's earth can we change and be Christ-like
How on God's earth can we change and be Christ-like
by Andrew Pratt
How on God's earth can we change and be Christ-like, calming our wrath and containing our rage? Where is the spirit that shows love in action, selflessly, fearlessly showing God's care? Verses 2-3 follow Tune: EPIPHANY HYMN; BARNARD GATE (John Barnard; Sing Glory 433; Jubilate we…
Hymn: Look: such horror, torn, then tortured
Hymn: Look: such horror, torn, then tortured
by Andrew Pratt
Look: such horror, torn, then tortured by the scourge across his back, by the torments and derision, and the hate that twisted fact. See our God, derided dying, smeared with blood and sweat and tears, hanging in a robe of loving, now surrounded by his fears. Verse 3-5 follow Tune…
Hymn: This is God, a human baby
Hymn: This is God, a human baby
by Andrew Pratt
This is God, a human baby, offered into human hands, hands to comfort, feed and nurture, hands that follow hate's commands. Then disciples, stunned and puzzled, couldn't make sense of his word, theologians down the ages, seek to juggle the absurd. Man, Messiah, Lord and Master, h…
No turning back, God's path can lead us forward
No turning back, God's path can lead us forward
by Andrew Pratt
No turning back, God's path can lead us forward, this is the time of challenge, time for choice, to set our sights on all that lies before us, to wallow in the past or to rejoice. Verses 2-3 follow Tune: INTERCESSOR Metre:11.10.11.10 Andrew Pratt (born 1948) Words © 11/6/2013 S…
Impossible gifts are with God for the giving
Impossible gifts are with God for the giving
by Andrew Pratt
Impossible gifts are with God for the giving, the answer to questions, the focus of dreams; for God offers hope and in grace is forgiving transcending our hatred, confronting our schemes. Imagine a picture of worthy acceptance where strangers are welcomed as though they are frien…
Poem: Evil intention, skilful deception
Poem: Evil intention, skilful deception
by Andrew Pratt
Poem: Evil intention, skilful deception Evil intention, skilful deception, Herodias plotting, bent on revenge; heart fired by hatred, nothing now sacred, John's words of judgment she'd need to avenge… Continues Andrew Pratt (born 1948) Words © 30/6/2012 Stainer & Bell Ltd, Lond…
We wring our hands in hopelessness
We wring our hands in hopelessness
by Andrew Pratt
We wring our hands in hopelessness while Herod's spirit roams abroad, the innocent are slaughtered still as hatred draws a tighter cord. We lack audacity to face corruption in our very midst; humanity is drawn by greed and power has the final twist. God bring again your human…
Straining human understanding
Straining human understanding
by Andrew Pratt
Straining human understanding, grace is greater than our flaws, love will reach beyond our folly, breach our hatred, counter wars. Some ignore the call to caring, selfish impulse drives them on, yet our human love in action could avert a greater wrong. Verses 3 follow Tune: MERTO…
Times and Seasons - Prayer: Human instincts
Times and Seasons - Prayer: Human instincts
by Marjorie Dobson
Romans 12: 9-21 Prayer: Human instincts Vengeance is a natural reaction and most children have the instinct from an early age. We have to be taught to share, to forgive, to live in peace with one another and to resist our automatic reaction to get our own back. So we pray: When o…
Hymn: Help us, good God, to consider our actions
Hymn: Help us, good God, to consider our actions
by Andrew Pratt
Help us, good God, to consider our actions, let us take stock of the things that we say, building the pathway to peace between nations, building new friendships to face each new day. Rumour and falsehood, like fire through the stubble, stir up our reasons for hate or revenge. J…
Hymn: In the depth of deep recession
Hymn: In the depth of deep recession
by Andrew Pratt
In the depth of deep recession hopeless, helpless here we stand; all around new fears are waking anxious thoughts throughout this land. While some live in wealth and comfort, others struggle to be fed; mothers queue at new-found food banks, others look to find a bed. Verses 2-3 f…
The Women's Bible Commentary - The Parent’s Preferential Love for Jacob
The Women's Bible Commentary - The Parent’s Preferential Love for Jacob
by SPCK - Newsom, Ringe and Lapsley
The Parent’s Preferential Love for Jacob The book of Malachi opens with the words “I have loved you.” However, this love is cast as a parent’s preference for one son at the expense of another: Jacob is loved, while Esau is an object of hatred…
Intercessions - Love will come again