Jeremiah 33:10-11a
“This is what the Lord says:  ‘You say about this place, ‘It is a desolate waste, without people or animals.’  Yet in the towns of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem that are deserted…there will be heard once more the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of bride and bridegroom, and the voices of those who bring thank offerings to the house of the Lord, saying, ‘Give thanks to the Lord Almighty, for the Lord is good; his love endures forever.’”

Zechariah 8:3-5
“This is what the Lord says: ‘I will return to Zion and dwell in Jerusalem.  Then Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth, and the mountain of the Lord Almighty will be called the Holy Mountain…Once again men and women of ripe old age will sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each with cane in hand because of his age.  The city streets will be filled with boys and girls playing there.’”

Matthew 21:8-10
“A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while other cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.  The crowds that went ahead of [Jesus] and those that followed shouted, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David!  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!  Hosanna in the highest!’”

Holy Lord God, when you inhabit our city you make us a family again.

You step upon streets that echo with emptiness, leading a procession singing with joy.  In your presence crumbling ghettos are restored to shining highways.

Enter our towns so that we live in courtyards ringing with laughter.  Turn our dark alleys into pathways of praise.

We place our hope in the name of Jesus, who promises to pave our dusty streets with gold.

Listen to ‘She Must and Shall Go Free’ featuring Sandra McCracken