God of Grace and God of Glory (Evangelical Lutheran Worship 705)
1 God of grace and God of glory,
on your people pour your pow’r;
crown your ancient church’s story;
bring its bud to glorious flow’r.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage
for the facing of this hour,
for the facing of this hour.
2 Lo! The hosts of evil round us
scorn the Christ, assail his ways!
From the fears that long have bound us
free our hearts to faith and praise.
Grant us wisdom, grand us courage
for the living of these days,
for the living of these days.
3 Cure your children’s warring madness;
Bend our pride to your control;
Shame our wanton, selfish gladness,
Rich in things and poor in soul.
Grant us wisdom, grand us courage,
lest we miss your kingdom’s goal,
lest we miss your kingdom’s goal.
4 Save us from weak resignation
to the evils we deplore;
let the gift of your salvation
be our glory evermore.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
serving you whom we adore,
serving you whom we adore.
Text: Harry E. Fosdick; Music: John Hughes; Public Domain
Devotion
The lyrics of this hymn were written by noted 20th century pastor and writer Harry Emerson Fosdick. They could probably speak to almost any time, but they seem especially meaningful with the dramatic changes we have been experiencing lately in the U.S. and their impacts internationally. As the hymn prays, we need God to grant wisdom to us as individuals and as the church. We need wisdom to know how to respond to dishonesty, scapegoating, injustice, cruelty, and violence. At times it can feel overwhelming, and we may want to just bury our heads, tune it all out and hope it will go away. But that is not the response of faith; that is not the calling of our Lord. We need God’s help in order to respond courageously and with love for all God’s people and for God’s world.
Prayer
God, who brings life out of death and opens up new possibilities, we thank you for the love by which you have claimed us as your own. As we face the challenges of this hour, may your Spirit instill in us courage and wisdom, and strengthen us to live in hope always. Amen.