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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
When blood is poured like water
by Andrew Pratt
When blood is poured like water, humanity destroyed, in denigrating neighbours, your grace seems null and void. Our politics seem barren as this hot desert floor, while all around seems hopeless and life, a firm closed door. Verses 2-3 follow Metre: 7 6 7 6 D Tune: PASSION CHORAL…
When ever disaster brings death and destruction
When ever disaster brings death and destruction
by Andrew Pratt
When ever disaster brings death and destruction, when people are suff'ring and questions arise, we should not assume some divine retribution condemning the people that we might despise. God's judgement is subtle, each person is counted, each one is significant, folded in grace. G…
When Jesus prayed in mystic, sweet communion
When Jesus prayed in mystic, sweet communion
by Andrew Pratt
When Jesus prayed in mystic, sweet communion, he was not begging for a loaf of bread, yet noting the reality of hunger, his words are human, asking to be fed. This human need that undergirds existence, provides the ground, the need to live in peace, where grace determines human c…
With daring we enter the future that beckons
With daring we enter the future that beckons
by Andrew Pratt
With daring we enter the future that beckons, our feelings in tension - excitement and fear. Wherever we're walking we know God walks with us, before and behind, God's protection is near. *Alone in the desert God's people felt empty, the land that was promised of honey and milk s…
Willows hung with harps are weeping
Willows hung with harps are weeping
by Andrew Pratt
Willows hung with harps are weeping like the sorrow of our song, deep reflection of the mourning for the hurt of human wrong. Hurt which seems to have no ending, still rings on from age to age, still our human hearts are bleeding, still our grief takes centre stage. Verses 3-4 fo…
Wisdom: Word before creation
Wisdom: Word before creation
by Andrew Pratt
Wisdom: Word before creation, source and essence of our birth, ground of being, life's existence, energising all the earth; Verses 2-3 follow Metre: 8 7 8 7 Trochaic Tune: CROSS OF JESUS Andrew Pratt (born 1948) Words © 27/4/2013 Stainer & Bell Ltd, London, England, www.stainer…
Right here in the presence of loving and grace
Right here in the presence of loving and grace
by Andrew Pratt
Right here in the presence of loving and grace, see Judas is scowling, a sneer scars his face. Anointing with perfume is costly and rare, this gift could be sold giving substance to care. What need this affection, that Jesus received? It seemed to go counter to all they believed.…
Safe in God who always held us
Safe in God who always held us
by Andrew Pratt
Safe in God who always held us from the moment of our birth, still protecting, never resting, till the ending of the earth. God our refuge, loving parent, guiding as our lives proceed; God of providence and comfort seeks to meet our every need. Verse 3 follows Tune: LAUS DEO (Red…
Questions whirling wind around us
Questions whirling wind around us
by Andrew Pratt
Questions, whirling wind around us, probe, disturb, unsettle thought; undermine secure perception that our simple faith has caught. Verses 2-3 follow © Andrew Pratt 18/9/2012 Tune: COME REJOICE (Noel Tredinnick, Jubilate Hymns); LAUS DEO (Redhead) Metre: 8.7.8.7 Please include on…
Some voice! it splinters beams of cedar
Some voice! it splinters beams of cedar
by Andrew Pratt
Some voice! it splinters beams of cedar, it flashes out in flames of fire, it thunders over mighty waters, it makes the theme of praise run higher. The shaking earth moves with that thunder, the ground is rattled, rough and raw; this quaking land disturbs the ocean, destructive w…
So many people, flawed and faulted
So many people, flawed and faulted
by Andrew Pratt
So many people, flawed and faulted, had come to Christ in hope of health, to be restored, to be accepted, was worth much more to them than wealth. Yet grace was free, as was forgiveness, God does not trade in things of need, but others said that Christ offended and undermined the…
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…
Struck down and blinded by the light
Struck down and blinded by the light
by Andrew Pratt
Struck down and blinded by the light, the sudden realisation, that love is broader than a creed, encompassing each nation. Laid low until grace raised him up, restoring more than vision, this Saul, now Paul, resumed his way while curbing his derision. Verses 3-4 follow Tune: BARB…
Stunned by sudden revelation
Stunned by sudden revelation
by Andrew Pratt
Stunned by sudden revelation, God is near and God is real. Yet we keep our isolation, choosing who can join our meal. Verses 2-3 follow Metre: 8 7 8 7 Trochaic Tune: SERVANT SONG Andrew Pratt (born 1948) Words © 27/4/2013 Stainer & Bell Ltd, London, England, www.stainer.co.uk. …
The Spirit came that breathed across the waters
The Spirit came that breathed across the waters
by Andrew Pratt
The Spirit came that breathed across the waters, existent since the very dawn of time, the essence of the Word at once incarnate, providing sound to what was human mime; Like lightning unleashed within the cosmos, the unexpected flame of life set free, that alloys different langu…
Things we thought were firm foundations