A prayer for all the world as we remember 7th October 2023

Iain Cunningham’s beautiful hymn can be a prayer for a world where all can live in safety, in freedom, with justice, dignity, and opportunity to thrive. May it be so, today and everyday.

O God, your wounded world cries out

in grief and sorrow, pain and fear

and suffering causes some to doubt

that you are here beside us.

Restore our hope,

enrich our faith,

give us the courage to believe

that in the darkest of our days

you'll come and walk beside us.

When those in power abuse their trust

and crush the ones whom they oppose

the weak are trampled in the dust

yet you are here beside them.

Let mercy reign,

let justice flow,

tear down the walls of hate and fear

till in their place forgiveness grows

because you walk beside us.

When some are victims of deceit

and truth is twisted out of shape,

when lies define the battle-lines

come near and walk beside us

until we learn

the ways of peace

and all can share the feast of life.

Then all the world shall come to see

You always walk beside us.

BESIDE US © Iain D. Cunningham 2014