A prayer of lament

Lily Cathcart September 14, 2025 2 2

Playlists

Add to Favourites

Save for later

Listen to this daily worship

Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28 (NIVUK)

11 At that time it will be said to this people and to Jerusalem: A hot wind comes from me out of the bare heights in the desert towards my poor people, not to winnow or cleanse— 12 a wind too strong for that. Now it is I who speak in judgement against them.

 

22 

‘For my people are foolish,
    they do not know me;
they are stupid children,
    they have no understanding.
They are skilled in doing evil,
    but do not know how to do good.’

23 

I looked on the earth, and lo, it was waste and void;
    and to the heavens, and they had no light.

24 

I looked on the mountains, and lo, they were quaking,
    and all the hills moved to and fro.

25 

I looked, and lo, there was no one at all,
    and all the birds of the air had fled.

26 

I looked, and lo, the fruitful land was a desert,
    and all its cities were laid in ruins
    before the Lord, before his fierce anger.

God, you love this world so much and all the people in it.
We have been chosen to be the guardians of all you hold dear — but we are sorry that humanity has not been doing a very good job.
We understand why you are sad and angry as your loves are hurt and destroyed.

We cry with you as we see people, so many children, killed in the name of men’s power games.
We wail as we see the oceans filled with plastic and our leftover living, killing your creatures.
We fall to the ground and feel the dry earth we have scorched and flattened with our need for more.
We sigh as more and more grow up and live without a tree to shelter them, a field to feed them, a living river to nourish them.
We feel unworthy of your trust in us oh God.

But hear us when we say God we are angry for you too.

So please forgive us our weaknesses and fill us anew with your fire, your desire to restore and mend, to build and care. Give us seeds of hope and joy to plant in the lives of those around us and those we may never meet.
Help us to grow forests of love and peace as well as all the real forests this earth needs.
Take us from deserts of ruin and despair to fields of love and promise with your guiding light and peace.

Amen