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Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life
On either side of the river is the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit each month, and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.
Prayer of hope
God of resurrection
We turn from the cross of death towards the tree of life
And dare to imagine another possible world
Where violent conflict becomes peaceful reconciliation
Where hunger and thirst are filled and quenched
Where barriers of exclusion become bridges of opportunity
Where pain and tears are healed and tenderly wiped away
Where world weary hearts are strengthened and reenergised
Where the leaves of the tree heal all the nations
In a time of inequality and division we are united by hope,
anticipating the flourishing of creation and fullness of life for everyone
To the glory and praise of your Almighty name.