"Healing River (Through the cross)" genre: Christian Easy Listening
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	A passionate song of worship and intercession for all nations and generations.
	MP3.com CD: Songs Compilation 1 - buy it! CD: FW3 - Fire & Rain   Label: Daybreak Music Credits: Mike Burn
	Story Behind the Song I had always wanted to write a "gospel style" hymn, and felt that one would fit well on the third FW recording, "Fire & Rain". However, the deadline for recording was fast approaching, and I hadn't managed to write anything satisfactory... At that time, it was the annual Ichthus "Revival Camp" in the summer of 1996 - a week of fellowship, teaching and worship in the beautiful grounds of Ashburnham, in the south of England, and I was there with my family. At the same time, John Pressdee was leading a "Reconciliation Walk" of a team of Christians, taking a message of apology along the route of the old crusades in Europe, going into towns, villages and cities between London and Jerusalem, and into mosques and synagogues, seeking forgiveness for the acts that had been done in the name of Christ. This is a tremendously powerful ministry (e-mail if you'd like more details). There was a mobile'phone hook-up from the Walk team into the main evening meeting at the Revival Camp, and John shared some thoughts for a few minutes. One of the things that he said that really struck me was that it was no good taking a message of reconciliation and apology to other nations and religions if that same message was not being lived out in our homes and families in the church. From that inspiration, I rushed home (literally that evening) and started to write the song "Healing River", to try to express a simple prayer for healing and restoration in the everyday situation of our homes and families, and in the church. I was pleased to find that it suited a gospel style. On the recording on FW3, we used two mothers and their young daughters (age 7 & 8) to sing two of the verses together; two of them from an Italian family, to try to express unity between the generations and the nations. The opening verse is sung by Liz Rodger - a sensitive and powerful operatic soprano from the UK; the chorus is sung by a congregation of children and adults. I hope that the song will bless you, and inspire you to pray for the healing river of God to flow in your own life, family and church. Lyrics Through the cross Jesus you triumphed By your blood you bought our peace Where there once was death and separation Your healing river flows Let it flow, let it flow Let the healing river flow Gracious God we cry to you Let the healing river flow Bind up wounds within our homes, Lord Reconcile husbands and wives Turn the fathers hearts towards their children Oh let the river flow Break down walls of isolation Rescue those who live In fear May the lonely find love In your family Oh let the river flow May your church rise up as one now Join the streams in one accord Young and old will stand and sing with one voice To praise our Risen Lord Mike Burn Copyright © 1996 Daybreak Music

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