So who is your favourite singer? For many of my age the answer could include one or more of the Beatles or the Rolling Stones or someone else from that amazing range of talent we grew up with. I was always a bit different – I’d possibly say the Scottish rocker ,New Romantic and co-Founder of Live Aid, Midge Ure.
The other day I rediscovered one of his songs called “Dear God..” and it brought back thoughts I’d had when I first heard it. It’s the questions at the start which hit me – “Dear God, is there somebody out there?” and then “Is there someone to hear my plea?”.
They’re not easy questions to answer but a lot of people are asking it at the moment. What are we going to tell them? Perhaps we can refer to our own experience of knowing our Father at crucial times and the way, somehow, He has managed to makes things right? Perhaps we can encourage with examples of answered prayer? Perhaps we can just let people talk and give them an encouraging ear?
Perhaps we need to turn to lament. Allow people space to grieve and even to blame God for failing to be in what they think was the right place at the right time. Midge Ure’s song may give us a lead – even though he doubts whether God is there at all, in his desperation he calls out his prayer – give me love for the lonely, food for hungry, peace in this restless world.
I listened to the song again. And again I wondered about these questions but this time I turned to a song setting of Lamentations 3:22 which was published about the same time as “Dear God”. “The steadfast love of the Lord never faileth. His mercy never comes to an end. It is new every morning, new every morning; great is thy faithfulness O Lord. Great is thy faithfulness.”
And suddenly the two songs balanced each other. Perhaps this shows us a way?
Prayer
Dear God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be with those who grieve and those who wait to hear news of recovery. Where faith is doubtful, wrap your arms of love around shoulders that shake with tears and fear and anger. Bring your hope into hearts that yearn for you. Bless those who seek for you and make yourself known to them. For your glory’s sake.
Amen.