Word of God, come to us as you came to Lazarus.
Come to the caves of our lives –
caves we have created,
and caves we have sought;
Caves to which we have been sent,
caves in which we now reside.
Come to the caves of our world –
caves of containment,
and caves of protection;
Caves of solace and anxiety,
caves that quickly become tombs.
Word of God, come to us as you came to Lazarus.
Call us back to life –
life created by you,
and life sustained by you;
Life in relationship with you,
life in service to others.
Call us back to life –
life that is hope in despair,
and peace in unsettled times.
Life that is joy in sorrow,
love beyond understanding.
Word of God, come to us as you came to Lazarus.
Unbind us and set us free –
liberate shackles of sadness,
and burdens too heavy to bear.
Release us from fear that inhibits
deliver us in your grace.
Unbind us and set us free –
call us to community,
and fuel us for connection.
Show us your way,
inspire us to walk with you.
Through the renewing power of your Spirit,
and grounded in the words you teach us to pray….
submitted by Katherine Kussmaul, Saint Giles Presbyterian Church, Raleigh, North Carolina
Jo Ann Staebler says
This is wonderful, Katherine. Thank you.