Hymn for International Day of Peace

God of Mercy, You Have Shown Us

A Hymn Lamenting Gun Violence

Download this hymn with music.

BEACH SPRING   8.7.8.7. D  (“God, Whose Giving Knows No Ending”)

God of mercy, you have shown us ways of living that are good:
“Work for justice, treasure kindness, humbly journey with the Lord.”
Yet your people here are grieving, hurt by weapons that destroy.
Help us turn to you, believing in your way that brings us joy. 

On a street where neighbors gather, shots are heard; a young girl dies.
On a campus, students scatter as the violence claims more lives.
In a family filled with anger, tempers flare and shots resound.
God of love, we weep and wonder at the violence all around. 

God, we pray for those who suffer when this world seems so unfair;
May your church be quick to offer loving comfort, gentle care.
And we pray:  Amid the violence, may we speak your truth, O Lord!
Give us strength to break the silence, saying, “This can be no more!”

God, renew our faith and vision; make us those who boldly lead!
May we work for just decisions that bring true security.
Help us change this violent culture based on idols, built on fear.
Help us build a peaceful future with your world of people here.

About the Hymn

Biblical References: Micah 6:8; Luke 1:79; Romans 12:15; I John 4:16-21; Matthew 5:9

Tune: The Sacred Harp, 1844. Harm. James H. Wood, 1958.
Text: Copyright © Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, 2009. Contact by email.
In interfaith worship services, you may change the original text of “May your church be quick to offer loving comfort, gentle care.” to interfaith text: “May we all be quick to offer loving comfort, gentle care.”

This hymn may be reproduced and used in nonprofit worship with the inclusion of the complete copyright citation plus the words "Used by permission." It may not be used for profit, sold, republished, altered or placed on a Web site.

Carolyn is the author of Songs of Grace:  New Hymns for God and Neighbor (Discipleship Resources, Upper Room Books, 2009) and Gifts of Love: New Hymns for Today’s Worship (Geneva Press, 2000) and the co-pastor of Limestone Presbyterian Church in Wilmington, Delaware.

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