Litanies & Prayers

O wounded town of Bethlehem
How sad we see thee cry
Above thy curfewed, empty streets
The belching tanks roll by

Yet from deep memory springeth
The hope of all the years
God’s kingdom come
God’s will be done
On earth, relieved of tears

©Ken Sehested @ prayerandpolitiks.org

Written April 2002 on the campus of Bethlehem University, Occupied West Bank of Palestine, where our 2002 Christian Peacemaker Teams delegation took refuge (after being stopped by Israeli soldiers) while attempting to walk into Bethlehem during a curfew (Israel’s “Operation Defensive Shield” invasion of the Occupied West Bank).

by Ken Sehested
(sung to the tune "Old Hundredth")

Oh, Blessed One, choired angels sing
Of life surrendered, offering
The power to bless as blessed we are
To welcome strangers near and far.

Oh, Ancient Promise, tune thine ear
To pain and suff’ring, linger near.
Cast off the rule of wail and woe.
Thy tender love on us bestow.

by Ken Sehested

O Come, thou fount of Mercy, come
And light the path of journey home
From Pharaoh’s chains grant liberty
From Herod’s rage, confirm thy guarantee
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel!

O Come, thou Watchful Keeper, bestow
Glad heart, warm home to creatures below
Give cloud by day and fire by night
Guide feet in peace with heaven’s delight
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel!

by Ken Sehested

Favor and affection contending
’Til the work of wrath confess
Steadfast love and faith embracing
Righteousness and peace caress
Magi wend their way to advent star aligned
Dwelling place of God earth-consigned

Wolf and lamb now linger, contented
Calf and lion peaceful arrayed
Cow and bear graze restful and fearless
Little child now marshaling parade
Roots from severed tree erupt, oh meek proclaim
Holy Mountain’s knowledge and Name

by Ken Sehested

Joy to the world! Salvation comes. Let earth rise up in praise
Let every heart prepare Christ’s Way
And heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing,
And heaven, and heaven and nature sing.

Joy to the earth! The Savior reigns. Let every voice report
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
Repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.

by Ken Sehested

In the company of these witnesses, round this table of remembrance of baptismal vows, within hearing of the One who delights in our company and in whose Promise we trust, let us make our professions.

What do we believe?

With a blood moon steep arising, and the sun beyond its set; stars, wobbling in their course, submit to gravity’s fated threat.

The Apocalypse’s disclosure of the Promised One’s descent into creaturely exposure ’mid cruel suffering and lament.

Speak, O Ancient of Days, from moon’s eclipse, sun’s sunken shroud, from blackened hills and choking streams,

by Ken Sehested

"Why are you cast down,
      O my soul,
             and why are you
      disquieted within me?" (Psalm 42:5a)

We are a people acquainted with grief.
In the bonds of this Body none need be embarrassed
     at the sound of sobbing, of the soul’s aching groan.

by Ken Sehested

From earth’s wide bounds, from ocean’s farthest coast*
We praise the Name alone in which we boast
Seal our unity around Thy Host
Alleluia! Alleluia!

We stand amid the wonderment and woe
Caressing each other, as You our hearts console
Break forth in song, all creatures here below!
Alleluia! Alleluia!