Jesus, there was a time when you looked with favour upon your people. It’s right there in stories of the Old Testament: you constantly looked after them.

You kept on brushing their pride to one side, you kept just saying that they were ok and they could start again. Even though you hated their sin with a vengeance, you chose to show mercy instead of anger, you chose to accept them not punish them.

And we can’t help but be humbled by this. Restore us again Jesus. We ask that once again you would be merciful to us. Don’t be angry forever. Instead revive us, our hearts have been suffering palpitations since we chose ways that are anti-you. Breathe into us again your holy gift of life. Save us once again dear Jesus.

I will listen in hope that you will speak to us. Speak words of wisdom and love to us again to us who dare to humble ourselves before you : not through action or deed but through our vulnerability. Surely your mercy and saving grace is right there for those who tremble before you. And if that happens, you will grace our gathering again.

Unmovable, solidly concreted love meets with unwavering commitment to stand by our side no matter what: purity in God’s name will bond with living outside of trouble.

And then our unwavering commitment will burst out of the ground, and our purity in God’s name will break through the clouds.

Jesus will give good things again and we may become the light that shines in the darkness again.

But we heed this warning: purity in God’s name will be the seal on the road on which he will follow.