I got really cross this morning

I don't often rant on this blog, but I need somewhere to let off steam.  Something that clergy promise to do when they get ordained is to pray and read their Bible every day.  To help us with this there are set readings for each day, which take you through the Bible.  One of this morning's readings was Leviticus 19.1-18, 30-end.  This means that whoever had compiled this set of readings had thought that for some reason we didn't ought to read verses 19-29.   

Now, if you look at them, they are difficult verses.  No question about it, they could be discussed and chewed over for many hours before we might get even close to working out what on earth they are doing in the Bible.  What we have absolutely no mandate for doing is to pretend that they aren't there.  If we are to have any integrity in saying people need to take the things in the surrounding verses seriously, then we need to do the tough work of wrestling with the bits we would rather weren't there.   Copping out and not even reading them is not wrestling, it's cowardice.  

Sing a new song

Ever since I went to New Wine in the summer, I've been thinking a bit about the link between worship and intercession, and particularly sung intercession.  Having sung some of the "breathe" songs a fair few times with the Eden guys, I've also been finding "God be Gracious To Us" and "You're the God of this city" really helpful in my own worship and prayers.  Yesterday I was working through the song book and came across I song that has spoken for me when I've been down, "When I am lost".  It struck me that as it is written it is fairly "me" centered, but could actually be a great song of prayer for others.  So I had a go at a bit of a rewrite, so you can see what I mean.

Here's the original ( by Wendy O'Connell)

When I am lost, when I am all alone,

Burdened by my sin and shame, there's one place I can go

I look towards the cross

Where my saviour died

Suffered in my place

The perfect sacrifice

For me so I can know

Now I am forgiven

I have been set free

Through the blood of Jesus

I have been made clean

Now I know of Hic mercy

Because he died for me

I have been redeemed

Here's the rewrite:

So many are lost, so many are all alone

Burdened by their sin and shame, there's one place they can go

We look towards the cross

Where the Saviour died

Suffered in our place

The perfect sacrifice

For all so we can pray

Now will you forgive them?

Will you set them free?

Through the blood of Jesus

Will you make them clean?

Let them know of your mercy

Because he died for all

We can be redeemed