God be with us

When darkness comes

And a village of children starve until their death

When a woman cries out but never has the baby she longs for in her heart

When people lose their homes and loved ones

And communities are uprooted by natural disasters, famine and war zones

When darkness invades

And the healing prayed for never happens

When genocide wipes out a nation

And people are oppressed, receiving no relief, only pain until death

When depression continues to root itself deep inside a person's heart

Even after all the therapy sessions and medications tried

When darkness stays

And a spouse lies and cheats on their family

When the divorce is final and a family is forever broken

When a child continues to use drugs

And the alcohol addiction is stronger than a person's desire to get better

When darkness seems to be winning

And people are exploited

When the vulnerable are sold into sex trafficking and slavery

When prejudice and pride continue to breed hatred and violence

When there is no clear answer or direction

When darkness overwhelms our soul

And we can't get back up to fight

When relationships are broken and complicated

When love and hate both reside in our hearts

When jealousy and envy keep us from being grateful and generous

When it seems there is nothing else we can do in our power to stop the evil in this world

God be with us

This world, this place

What have we done?

Why are we so bound by our chains of sin?

When will we wake up from the nightmare?

When will redemption and joy be experienced as God promises?

Do You hear our cries?

Do You hear our weeping?

Do You hear our pain?

Show us Your glory

Show us Your mercy

Show us Your power and compassion

Show us humility

Give us wisdom

Reveal Yourself

Because it is so dark and the light is flickering dim

Get us out of our comfortable, complacent postures

Set us on the solid rock

Rise up Your children, send us in God’s way

Truth, Life, Hope

Let Your ways be our guiding light

Let Your love be the meditation of our hearts

God be with us

God be with us

God be with us