Isaiah’s prophecy in Isaiah 61 looks ahead to the coming of the Messiah whose purpose is ‘to bind up the brokenhearted,to proclaim freedom for the captivesand release from darkness for the prisoners,to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favourand the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beautyinstead of ashes, the oil of joyinstead of mourning, and a garment of praiseinstead of a spirit of despair.’ (Is 61:1-3) There are always times when we don’t understand what God is doing and can barely find the words to pray, but He accepts even our broken hallelujahs…
‘I can barely stand right now.
Everything is crashing down,
And I wonder where You are.
I try to find the words to pray.
I don’t always know what to say,
But You’re the one that can hear my heart.
Even though I don’t know what Your plan is,
I know You’re making beauty from these ashes.
I’ve seen joy and I’ve seen pain.
On my knees, I call Your name.
Here’s my broken hallelujah.
With nothing left to hold onto,
I raise these empty hands to You.
Here’s my broken hallelujah.
You know the things that have brought me here.
You know the story of every tear.
‘Cause You’ve been here from the very start.
Even though I don’t know what Your plan is,
I know You’re making beauty from these ashes.
I’ve seen joy and I’ve seen pain.
On my knees, I call Your name.
Here’s my broken hallelujah.
With nothing left to hold onto,
I raise these empty hands to You.
Here’s my broken hallelujah.
When all is taken away, don’t let my heart be changed.
Let me always sing Hallelujah
When I feel afraid, don’t let my hope be erased
Let me always sing Hallelujah.
Let me always sing Hallelujah.
I will always sing
I will always sing
Here’s my broken hallelujah.’ (‘Broken Hallelujah’, The Afters)