O God of Love, O King of Peace (Evangelical Lutheran Worship 749)
1 O God of love, O King of peace,
make wars throughout the world to cease;
our greed and sinful wrath restrain.
Give peace, O God, give peace again.
2 Remember, Lord, your works of old,
the wonders that our elders told;
remember not our sins’ deep stain.
Give peace, O God, give peace again.
3 Whom shall we trust but you, O Lord?
Where rest but on your faithful word?
None ever called on you in vain.
Give peace, O God, give peace again.
4 Where saints and angels dwell above
all hearts are knit in holy love;
oh, bind us in that heav’nly chain.
Give peace, O God, give peace again.
Text: Henry W. Baker; Music: J. Klug, Geistliche Lieder; Public Domain
Devotion
As I write these devotions in April, the war in Gaza has resumed, the war in Ukraine continues, and the US bombing of the Houthis in Yemen has stretched into weeks. Our hymn, a prayer for peace, was written by Henry W. Baker, an Anglican priest, who lived 1821-1877. The address to God that begins the hymn—“O God of love, O King of peace” repeats the Lordship and the Oneness of God that has been our theme for this week.
Having served as a volunteer Emergency Medical Technician in my second parish, I was distraught by the recent killings of 15 ambulance crew members by Israeli troops in the Gaza war, whether accidentally as claimed by Israel, or deliberately as Palestinians claimed. While some stand back, others rush in to help and attempt to save lives. In the fog of war, accidents and war crimes do occur. So let us continue to pray for peace.
Prayer
O God Peace, we pray for the negotiations that will end conflicts and wars. Watch over, protect and guide those who seek to save lives. Amen!