Carolyn Gillette offers a new "hymn/prayer before
election day"
Sing it, say it, pray it - it's a good word
for these days.
In Times of Great Decision
A Hymn/Prayer Before Election Day
AURELIA 7.6.7.6 D ("The Church's One
Foundation")
In times of great decision, Be with us, God, we pray
Give each of us a vision Of Jesus' loving way.
When louder words seem endless And other voices sure,
Remind us of your promise: Your love and truth endure.
O God, whose gifts are countless, You send us bearing
peace.
You fill our dreams with justice For all communities.
You give us global neighbors That all may justly live.
May those we choose as leaders Reflect the life you give.
O God, you bridged the distance; You opened wide your
door.
You call us by our presence To reach to serve the poor.
You teach us: Welcome strangers Seek justice on the earth
May those we choose as leaders See every person's worth.
You call on every nation To put aside all greed,
To care for your creation And for your ones in need,
To care for those in prison, For children, for the ill.
In times of great decision, may we choose leaders well.
Tune: Samuel Sebastian Wesley, 1864.
Alternate Tune: LLANGLOFFAN ("O God of Every Nation"). Welsh folk melody.
Text: Copyright © 2004 Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved.
bcgillette@comcast.net
Hymn Note: "In Times of Great Decision" was inspired by "Christian
Principles in an Election Year" by the National Council of Churches USA:
http://www.ncccusa.org/electionyearprinciplesguide.pdf Carolyn Winfrey
Gillette is co-pastor of the Limestone Presbyterian Church in Wilmington,
Delaware and author of Gifts of Love: New Hymns for Today's Worship
(Geneva Press, 2000). A complete list of her hymns, including for the
lectionary year, can be found at
http://firstpresby.org/hymnlist.htm
Permission for free one-time use is given for a
congregational or ecumenical community service. The above copyright and
contact information shall be included when reproducing this hymn in worship
bulletins. Thank you. People who want to make a donation for using the hymn
may do so online to NCC
or
Church World
Service to support their
important work.
Please share this hymn (with the above
copyright and contact information) with other pastors, church musicians and
friends in your community and online. Thank you.
