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The temple was a market
The temple was a market
by Andrew Pratt
The temple was a market with cattle, doves and sheep. Religion forged a profit that earned the traders’ keep. Incensed at such injustice he held a whip of cords, the people scattered quickly, he had no need for words. Verses 2-3 follow Tune: DURROW; PASSION CHORALE Metre: 7.6.7.6…
The towering glory of this place
The towering glory of this place
by Andrew Pratt
The towering glory of this place: divine accommodation; affords a dwelling place for God through every generation. Here see the swallows sweeping down, in rest from navigation, they have a safer place to rest, a nest for pro-creation. Verses 3-4 follow Tune: DOMINUS REGIT ME Metr…
This is love, love un-extinguished
This is love, love un-extinguished
by Andrew Pratt
This is love, love un-extinguished, love out lasting time and place, love surviving crucifixion, sign of hope and source of grace. This was God who bled and died there, very God they scourged and hung, it was God the child of Mary, from whom human life was wrung. Verses 2-3 follo…
Times and Seasons - This is the Baptist, unkempt and yet ready
Times and Seasons - This is the Baptist, unkempt and yet ready
by Andrew Pratt
This is the Baptist, unkempt and yet ready, calling the people to listen and act; calling them down to the water for washing, talking of holiness, Godliness, fact. This is the man who will call to repentance fisherman, Pharisee, zealot and priest; here in the river the sinners wi…
We have known the exultation
We have known the exultation
by Andrew Pratt
We have known the exultation, we have shared in depths of pain, we have praised in celebration, we have mourned when faith felt vain. But, O God, your love is lasting, you have lifted us from loss, you restored our understanding that your love survived the cross. Verses 2-4 follo…
We hold the image of a God
We hold the image of a God
by Andrew Pratt
We hold the image of a God of pure humility and grace, so gentle in each act and word, with kindness shining from his face. But is this picture right and real? The Psalmist sings of fire and light, of righteous judgment, boundless power, devouring all that is not right. Verses 3-…
We strain to hear the voice of God
We strain to hear the voice of God
by Andrew Pratt
We strain to hear the voice of God, this God who knows us inside out, a whispered voice of gentleness that never seeks to force or shout. Christ's voice was heard in Galilee by those who had the ears to hear, he challenged hypocrites with truth while sinners, sensing love, drew n…
We stand in awe and wonder at this moment
We stand in awe and wonder at this moment
by Andrew Pratt
We stand in awe and wonder at this moment, we are Your people and You know our worth; the covenant we make with firm intention will set our course for now upon this earth. When we are lost to love and feel abandoned, out in the desert of our doubt and fear, God take us by the han…
We turn the tables on our friends
We turn the tables on our friends
by Andrew Pratt
We turn the tables on our friends, the ones we love the most, when others point or criticise, we press our case and boast. The garden story that we hear still lives in us today, the blame still passes down the line, there is no other way. Verses 3-4 follow Tune: BROTHER JAMES AIR…
We read of cultures from the past
We read of cultures from the past
by Andrew Pratt
We read of cultures from the past where slaves were normal, commonplace. Today we look with different eyes, to keep a slave would bring disgrace. Yet people still are caught and sold, removed from family and friends, then bought, mistreated and abused. For them life’s horror neve…
What a scandal, such forgiveness
What a scandal, such forgiveness
by Andrew Pratt
What a scandal, such forgiveness, no repentance, just a show, this anointing seems so wasteful, who is she? And does he know? All conventions disconnected, does he know how this will look? See that Pharisee, affronted, all this seems outside his book. Verses 2-3 follow Tune: BETH…
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…
What better way to spend the night
What better way to spend the night
by Andrew Pratt
What better way to spend the night than walking down a city street? Near shuttered shop fronts bodies sleep. Is Christ among the ones we greet? The stars are bright, the frost is sharp, and home will draw us from the cold. Outside the door, beyond the warmth, young people die bef…
When all is lost, there seems no turning back
When all is lost, there seems no turning back
by Andrew Pratt
When all is lost, there seems no turning back; when friends are gone, while gain has turned to lack; when life has left us in a crumpled heap, we slip and slide, we agonise and weep. Sometimes our lives are spun, flipped upside down, the royal are poor, the beggar wears a crown. …
When in our loneliness, lost without comfort
When in our loneliness, lost without comfort
by Andrew Pratt
When in our loneliness, lost without comfort, homeless, abandoned, when hope has all gone; God speaks through history, the words still disturb us: 'this is your home and you must carry on'. When our depression has mirrored that exile, hope is diminished and love drains away; even…
When blood is poured like water