A Call to Stand and Prophesy

"My people who can hear My heart,
I am calling you to prophesy:
I am calling you to speak My words,
to cry aloud My truth,
to rebuke and call to repentance
those who call Me 'Lord, Lord'
but have forsaken My commands of love.

I am calling you to testify;
I am calling you to witness to who I am,
for many who call Me 'Lord'
do not know My ways or My heart.
I am calling you to proclaim
My teachings and My mercy,
and that judgment is coming:

I will raise up high those
who have been oppressed;
I will bring low those
who have been unmerciful;
I will uncover what has been hidden,
revealing the hearts of many
and judging those who love lawlessness.

Stand and prophesy, My people;
call your brothers and sisters
back to obeying My law
to love one another as I loved you
even while you were My enemies.
Stand and weep for the nations
their cold love has wounded in My name.

I am calling you to prophesy
because many speaking in My name
are prophesy falsely, as they serve
the gods of pride, nationalism, greed,
the image of Me they have made,
and the ungrace and violence
they believe earns My favor.

Do not be afraid, My people;
many will hate you in My name,
but many will also hear My heart,
and their hearts will turn to Me,
to their neighbors, to their enemies,
to the wounded and the least of these,
and I will save and comfort many."

*****

Art: "A Prophet's Reward"