Dust and ashes touch our face,
mark our failure and our falling.
              Holy Spirit, come,
              walk with us tomorrow,
              take us as disciples,
washed and wakened by your calling.

Take us by the hand and lead us,
lead us through the desert sands,
bring us living water,
Holy Spirit, come.

Dust and ashes soil our hands –
greed of market, pride of nation.
              Holy Spirit, come,
              walk with us tomorrow
              as we pray and struggle
through the meshes of oppression.

Dust and ashes choke our tongue
in the wasteland of depression.
Holy Spirit, come,
walk with us tomorrow
through all the gloom and grieving
to the paths of resurrection.

Words and music © 1989 Brian Wren
Hope Publishing Co.