Jesus casts out an unclean spirit from a man in a synagogue – Mark 1: 21 -28 – a new hymn


A man convulsed and crying
was turning to and fro’,
but Jesus reached to meet him
to bid the spirit go.
The language of this story
sounds foreign, to our speech
yet still our health can test us,
when faith seems out of reach.

Great God, in Christ you show us
that love can cast out fear,
the fear that can assail us,
or those that we hold dear.
In times of desolation,
or times of deep distress.
mid loneliness bring friendship
bring love to lift and bless.

If hearts and thoughts are twisted,
when nothing is secure
may ones like Christ stay near us,
to show that love is sure,
to hold us through disturbance,
as we will hold them too
when shadows cloud your presence
we’ll see each other through.

Andrew Pratt 20/1/2024
Words © 2024 Stainer & Bell Ltd, London, England copyright@stainer.co.uk . Please include any reproduction for local church use on your CCL Licence returns. All wider and any commercial use requires prior application to Stainer & Bell Ltd.
Metre: 7.6.7.6.D
Tune: CRUGER; PENLAN

Henri Nouwen – this is worth reading and following – Freedom Is the Goal

Freedom Is the Goal

‘Though the forces of evil infecting whole nations and peoples are often hidden, complex, and elusive, we are called, as Christians, to unmask and expel them in the Name of the God of Love….’ Henri Nouwen – Meditation 13th September 2019

Read the full text at Henri Nouwen meditations