Sing-a-long at home to this hymn.

CCLI Song # 67327  Hal H. Hopson © Words: 1972 Hope Publishing Company Music: 1972, 2015, 2018 Hope Publishing Company. All rights reserved. CCLI License # 625707.

Lord God almighty, you do not disregard the cries of the poor,

and you do not despise the longing of troubled hearts.

Look upon our prayers which we bring to you in our needs and hear us graciously,
so that everything that the devil and the sinful world set against us comes to nothing,
and that they may be converted by your good counsel, so that we may be undisturbed by any affliction,

thank you in your congregation, and praise you at all times;

through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Source: Martin Luther, the German Litany, First Collect, [Die Gebete Luthers, #3]

There is an ordinary despair that so many people feel in the face of the enormity of the world’s problems. What can one individual do?” What can one individual do?” So many of us feel powerless in the face of so much pain.

For the Pharisees of Jesus’ day, the rules had become more important than relationships. Law superseded love. Remember how disgusted they were that Jesus spent so much time with prostitutes and tax collectors? Remember how much they despised Jesus for making friends with the outcasts and the marginalized? Remember how angry they got when Jesus healed sick and diseased persons on the Sabbath? The Pharisees hid behind their rules.

But what Jesus has pointed out through His ministry, His life, His teachings is that behind every rule is a wounded soul.

Let’s face it. We are all broken. And this brokenness leads some of us to take refuge in rules. Laws are good. But we must be careful with them because laws can form a judgment; whereas love forms relationships.

Silently she watches As the cars go by

The minutes turn to hours And she tries not to cry

It seems no one remembered To come take her home

It's been years now Still she waits alone

A young boy begs for money On the corner of the street

I see him almost everyday but our eyes never meet

I wonder where you came from I wonder where you'll go

I wonder if you disappeared If anyone would know

-Chorus-

You were hungry You were thirsty

You were lonely And afraid

You were crying And no one heard you

You were dying and no one came

I'll never forget you Your face is etched in my mind

You held out your hand And I just tossed you a dime

Sitting on the sidewalk With those eyes so blue

I'd give anything for another chance Just to talk to you

(Chorus)

Father forgive me I know not what I do

When I walk through this life When I walk right by you

These faces and memories, these places I've been

Lord, help me to see you when I see them again