At least 49 worshippers were killed – and 48 wounded – in shootings in Christchurch, New Zealand, on March 15. Carolyn Winfrey Gillette has graciously offered this hymn for free use in congregations as we grieve the violence and lives lost.
O God, We Grieve the Hatred
AURELIA 7.6.7.6 D (“The Church’s One Foundation”)
O God, we grieve the hatred, the ugly, racist fear
that hurts our common living and harms those you hold dear.
For Muslims who were gathered to worship and to pray
soon found their lives were shattered as violence filled their day.
We pray for those now grieving for loved ones who are lost;
we pray for people suffering because of hatred’s cost.
For all of us, now frightened by what extremists do,
we pray: O God of mercy! May we find strength in you!
We grieve our lack of courage: we tolerate the wrong
of people who are racist; we simply go along.
We let the fear continue; we’re slow to challenge hate.
We say, “It’s not our issue,” until it is too late.
O God of love and mercy, you teach us how to be
a loving, caring people, a kind community.
May we reach out to neighbors and welcome others here
for love is what is needed to cast out pride and fear.
Biblical Reference: I John 4:7-21
Tune: Samuel Sebastian Wesley, 1864
Text: Copyright © 2019 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved.
Email: carolynshymns@gmail.com New Hymns: www.carolynshymns.com
Download a PDF of the hymn: O God, We Grieve the Hatred-2
