A prayer that we might be instruments of God's praise

Ow, Fadda! Eternal Creator, the story of our relationship as revealed in Scripture with you begins with a hymn; a hymn of creation. Thank you for the reminder that chaos and darkness give way to order and beauty.

Thank you, God, that the rhythms of music are written deep in our spirits. Yet because “guilty feet have got no rhythm” we too often feel like we might never dance again the way we danced with you. We come to you now in the language of one prison programme, Changing Tunes, asking you to change, to shift the narrative of hopelessness often running around in our head.

Make us once again instruments of praise; instruments of worship! Retune us, glue our cracked pots with gold like in Kintsugi master craft; make us more valuable than we recognise. Although we may feel fit for the rubbish pile, you see us. You greet us – sawbona! You see… our past, our heritage, our people and you smile. Sit with us as we learn to sing again, show us how to sing in harmony with you. Nature’s harmony. Yes, Fadda. Amen.

Leon Dundas, Managing Chaplain at HMP Exeter