Lamentations 1:3  “Judah has gone into exile because of affliction and hard servitude; she dwells now among the nations, but finds no resting place; her pursuers have all overtaken her in the midst of her distress.”

Once we dwelt among Your people, Lord

Jerusalem – built as a city that is bound firmly together

To which the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord

As was decreed for Israel

To give thanks to the Name of the Lord

Have we forgotten Your Name? Was Your glory not our highest good? Yet here we are, far from our resting place

Here we are in exile

Our only comfort Your Word that still speaks

Our only guide Your Spirit who still indwells

Our only hope Your promises that are still true

Our only desire Your presence that is still here, even in this desolate place

Our only longing to return to You, wherever that may take us, whatever it may cost

For the place we left behind was dear to us. Yet it was not the place itself that we loved, Lord; it was You

Meet with us here, in the midst of our sorrow and our distress

Show us Your glory, encourage our hearts, confront our sin, establish our prayers

Teach us never to depart from You again And beyond the veil, into eternity, give us a glimpse of Home. Amen