I have been involved with the Estates Evangelism Task Group and Partner’s Conference at High Leigh. Ninety practitioners gathered together to look at the challenges facing us in the future serving our communities. There has been a lot of challenge for The Church to reform its institutional bias and refocus on those who live in poverty. That however is for a later post.
I was asked to put together and lead the worship and music. One of the songs I taught the congregation who were gathered from all across the country was God of All Comfort from Resound Worship. It was written by Joel Payne and Matt Weeks for the 75th anniversary of Christian Aid. The words are so powerful in many different contexts. For those of us from estates, they speak powerfully of God transforming our attitudes to those on the margins. It makes us call for justice and transformation across the church and the whole of society. I highly recommend you make it part of your regular sung worship.
Lyrics
God of all comfort, God of compassion,
reveal your mercy through us your church,
disturb our slumber, move us to action,
to show your kingdom on the earth.
Make us like Jesus, full of your Spirit.
declaring good news to the poor,
proclaiming freedom for every captive
and the favour of the Lord.
Show us the value of every person
show us your image in every face;
we all are equal, we all are broken,
and need the kindness of your grace.
We stand together, here in the margins,
there in the hardship and the pain,
we cry for justice and restoration,
until the silent sing again.
We hear the groaning of all creation,
we hear the promise of earth renewed,
so make us agents of your redemption
in this, the world so loved by you.
May we grow bolder, may we speak louder,
until your voice of hope is heard;
for we see Jesus, going before us,
to bring his kingdom on the earth.
We pray your kingdom come on earth.
We pray your kingdom come on earth.