A PRAYER FOR LENT 5 OT

Psalm 126

3 The Lord has done great things for us,

    and we are filled with joy.

4 Restore our fortunes,[c] Lord,

    like streams in the Negev.

5 Those who sow with tears

    will reap with songs of joy.

6 Those who go out weeping,

    carrying seed to sow,

will return with songs of joy,

    carrying sheaves with them.

Restore our fortunes, O Lord

and give us new life

We have sown rivers of tears

in this life of trouble

worn ourselves out

with worry and stress

We carve out 

settled patterns of work and play

that are ripped asunder

by disruptions, defeats and death

Restore our fortunes, O Lord

and give us new life

We have sown torrents of

anger and violence

to gain new sources of wealth

power and resources

We convert our young into

weapons of war

create bombs and bombers

to devastate and destroy

Restore our fortunes, O Lord

and give us new life

We have sown rows

of abuse and corruption

in our relationships

for power and control

We make one another

playthings for fun and frolic

ignoring feelings and vulnerabilities

of those we victimize

Restore us, O Lord

and give us new life

Show us, Lord Jesus

how to plant our lives

in faithfulness

Wash us in your love

shinning in our hearts

and lighting our paths

Show us, Lord Jesus

how to plant our hopes

in peace and nonviolence

Shower us with your vision

for a world without war

and a nation safe for children

Show us, Lord Jesus

how to sow fidelity

in all our relationships

Teach us to nurture one another

have compassion and comfort

for those we love and love us

Restore us, O Lord

and give us new life

that our weeping may turn

to laughter

and our mourning into

shouts of joy

Amen