Bride To Be

Pour your spirit over Oroville, Lord

That she would burst forth in song

For beauty, for life, for glory

For tenderness, for passion

Like the bride that she is

The land you will marry

Beautiful, desirable

Call forth her soul

The truth of who you made her

Who you determined she would become

Not some perverted human version

But your golden city

Like a rushing wind:

Come Lord!

Waylay the darkness that has entangled her

Burst forth in the fierceness of your glory

Defensive of your betrothed

Violent to her assailants

Victorious in her defense

A jealous lover

Rejecting another's defiling attachment

Eager to claim your own

Speak more life

The truth of who she is

The truth of who we are

The truth of you within us

The truth of you

The hope of glory

Stephen Pursell, 3/18/03,

for Oroville