Lament for the years the locusts have eaten

 

This lament was written by Regional Minister Mary Moody for the Central Baptist Association regional team.

Lord
It is hard to lament what we have not seen or heard or known ourselves.
It is hard to repent of what we have not done though we knew it to be Your will.
It is hard to draw a line in the sand,
    to turn the super-tanker status quo,
        or to rend our hearts instead of just wringing our hands.

But lament, repent and rend we must.
For the day of the Lord is at hand
    and the Project Violet prophets
        have sounded the alarm.

So, the call has gone out:

Gather

God’s people, wholehearted, on God’s holy mountain.
The elders and the infants
The nurtured and the nurturing
The vigorous and passionate
The frail and fatigued.
Let everything that has breath seek the Lord.

Return

With fasting, weeping and mourning
for the lack we brought upon ourselves,
the locusts we bred and let loose
to lay waste burgeoning ministries
and eat the precious years of a woman’s life.

Return

With fasting, weeping and mourning
To our bountiful God,
abounding in love and mercy
To El Shaddai, our Nursing God,
Source of all nourishing.
 
Return to God, that God may turn.
Repent, that God relent.
Confess, that God may bless,
    repaying us for the barren years
        restoring each one’s flourishing.

For what we rend, God will defend
and bind up all our wounds.


If you have something creative to share with the wider Baptist movement, please contact projectvioletlament@baptist.org.uk

We hope to share your creative responses with Assembly 2025.