BEACH SPRING 8.7.8.7 D (“God Whose Giving Knows No Ending”)
God of love, we’ve known division and we’ve seen its awful cost.
We have struggled as a nation, and there’s much that we have lost.
We have been a house divided — and, divided, we can’t stand.
May our nation be united; give us peace throughout this land.
Turn us, Lord, from what divides us — fear that drives us far apart,
greed that leads to great injustice, racist ways that break your heart.
May we seek what brings together — hearts that bear each other’s pain,
care and mercy toward our neighbors, love that welcomes strangers in.
May we all, in conversation, speak the truth and listen well.
May we hear, across this nation, stories others have to tell.
May we learn from other cultures and be blessed by their worldview;
May we serve with one another — loving others, loving you.
You have challenged us to goodness; you have shown a kinder way.
It’s your love that now inspires us as we seek a better day.
May we end our harsh division; may we stop the hate and fear.
Make us one, Lord, as a nation; may we be united here.
Tune: The Sacred Harp, 1844; attributed to Benjamin Franklin White (“God Whose Giving Knows No Ending”)
Text: Copyright © 2020 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved.
Permission is given for free use of this hymn in local churches.
Composer’s note: Augustine is often quoted as saying, “Those who sing, pray twice.” This new hymn is a prayer for unity in our nation — a unity grounded in love and justice for all. At this time of so much division in our country, our nation needs prayer, and we as churches are called to pray and work for the love, justice, peace and unity that God desires. This new hymn was completed on the day the TV news networks announced that Joe Biden had won the presidential election.
