We shared this lament during morning worship at Calvin College’s Festival of Faith and Music in Grand Rapids Michigan on Saturday March 31, 2007.

The Wine Before Breakfast Band led music for these prayers written by Brian Walsh. As with all our resources, if you choose to use this elsewhere, please credit the original author, and provide a link to its source.

Throughout this responsive prayer, the words of the leader are in plain text, and the words for the congregation are in bold.

A Lament

How long, O Lord?
How long?
How long must bloodshed follow bloodshed?
How long must we be held captive
by imaginations of violence?
You created us for glory,
how long must we be architects of shame?

Creator God, who looks upon this world
through tear-filled eyes,
forgive us our violence,
restore humanity for glory
and cover our shame.

How long, O Lord?
How long?
How long must we be ashamed of the false gospel
of national security?
How long must we be ashamed of the gospel of Jesus
employed in the name of ideological violence?
How long must the flags be at half mast?
How long?
Body bags.
How long?
Jesus in battle dress.
How long?
The shafting of the poor.
How long?
The lies.
How long?
Must you bang your head against the wall?
How long?
Rigged elections, weapons blessed?
How long, Lord?
How long must we sing this song?

Until we get the healing done.

How long until your will be done on earth as it is in heaven?

God draw us near
and bind us tight,
all your children here
in their rags of light;
in our rags of light
all dressed to kill;
and end this night
if it be your will.

I can’t take this night any longer.
What can I say to you, God of broken hearts?
How can I address you when faith has lost its promise?

Turn me tender again
Fold me into you
Turn me tender again
And mold me anew
Faith lost its promise
And bruised me deep blue
Turn me tender again
Through union with you.

I am bruised, O God,
bruised deep blue.
Turn me tender again,
through union with you.