Like sheep that hear their shepherd’s call,
While lost in wilds or lame from fall,
Return, rescued, safely home,
Your people led through shadowed vale,
Harried, wearied by life’s travail:
Into your house, Lord, we come.

This plight we share from day we’re born,
Heart bent by want, flesh rent by thorn,
Lusts and lures that trap and try;
Frail, fickle will, root deep within,
Makes mortals ill, soul-sick with sin:
Please help and heal, Lord, we cry.

Of things to come we must beware —
Wars and rumors that awe and scare,
Devil’s wiles that sneak and snatch,
Sham messiahs who claim to save,
Phony prophets who scheme, deceive:
Awake with you, Lord, we watch.

Our world is wracked and wrecked by wrong,
The poor by rich, the weak by strong,
Truth and good are laid to waste;
From wells of wrath we drink our fill,
With words for swords we strike to kill:
On your mercy, Lord, we wait.

Rise up, O Judge, come save at last,
Unbind the chained, uplift the pressed,
Set right and straight what is crook;
Bring due justice to victory —
Kingdom and power and glory:
For your coming, Lord, we look.

We thirst for you from morn’s first light,
Feast on loaves of tears day and night,
Sigh with heavy souls, “How long?”
Our aching hearts pour out their grief,
Our fainting flesh pants for relief:
For your presence, Lord, we long.