A Hymn for This Time
A Hymn for This Time
Based on the hymn “We Cannot Measure How You Heal” by John Bell
We cannot measure how you heal or answer every sufferer’s prayer; yet we believe your grace restores where faith and doubt unite to care. Our neighbors cry out “I can’t breathe,” your weeping children cry “Lord, how long will we refuse to see your face in all God’s children, race to race?”
Our pain, it will not go away, while parents fear for their children’s lives; ‘til black lives matter and all are safe; God break our hearts for peace and grace. We long to see the healing of your church, your world, our beloved kin; so, we will take up our cross today and take it up tomorrow again.
O Lord, we come, we need your help to teach us how to love with all our hearts, our bodies and our minds, ‘til all the people of earth are one. We dream and hope and lift our prayers for justice, love and peace on earth. Lord make us instruments of your peace, teach us to be your hands and feet.
God heal our hearts and heal our land, unite us in your kingdom work; dismantling systems of black oppression, denying whiteness that brings us gain. God fill us with a holy zeal to see your kingdom here on earth; to invite everyone to the table with bread and wine and welcome and love.
Sara Robb-Scott, Pastor for Senior Adults and Pastoral Care, First Baptist Church Decatur