Lament

This weeks message is by Chad Bird.
Sometimes, a few words say all that's required:

How long will we dwell in a dry land where there is no water?
How long, O Lord, will you forget us forever?
When shall we come and appear before you? 
We were glad when they said, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.”
But we are cut off, we are estranged, from your courts.

Too long have our souls had their dwelling far from you.
Too long have we hungered for the table of your presence. 
Consider and answer us, O Lord, our God.

Do not be deaf to our cry.
Do not be silent at our tears.
Do not close your eyes to our uplifted hands. 
Lift up the light of your countenance upon us once more.

Make your face to shine upon your servants once again.
Gather us, as a shepherd gathers the sheep of his flock,
To make us lie down in pastures green with mercy. Why are you in despair, O my soul?
Why have you become disturbed within me?
Hope in God, for we shall again praise him.

Trust in Christ, for we shall again appear before him. O Lord, hear our prayer.

O Lord, have mercy.
O Christ, have mercy.
O Lord, have mercy.