Thy kingdom come, Lord!

Raise, Lord; enlarge, Lord; establish your kingdom!

Yours is the glory.

And unless you want your glory confined only to heaven,

   or account the praises and eternal hallelujahs of saints and angels

       enough adoration for your great name, Lord,

   have regard to this poor decaying kingdom.

For only in it, and in heaven is your glory celebrated.

 

And if you leave this kingdom to be overrun 

    by the agents and ministers of the devil,

  or if idolatry and the profane gain ground here 

    so as to push you off your throne,

        would that not be giving your glory to another –

        which you have promised not to do?

 

Lord, you are still the same God.

Your essence is eternal.

Your attributes will never change.

Your power, wisdom, and mercy are the same as ever.

So in your mercy, grant us the same favor.

Amen.

 

Ezekiel Hopkins, 1634–1690, Anglican minister

_______________________

 

 

The thought of my suffering and homelessness
    is bitter beyond words
I will never forget this awful time,
    as I grieve over my loss.
Yet I still dare to hope
    when I remember this:

The faithful love of the Lord never ends!
    His mercies never cease.
Great is his faithfulness;
    his mercies begin afresh each morning.
I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance;
    therefore, I will hope in him!”