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!"

Biblical References: Micah 6:8; Luke 1:79; Romans 12:15; 1 John 4:16-21; Matthew 5:9
Tune: The Sacred Harp, 1844; attributed to Benjamin Franklin White ("God Whose Giving Knows No Ending")  (MIDI)
Text: Copyright © 2009 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved.
Email: bcgillette@comcast.net     New Hymns: www.carolynshymns.com/

Permission is granted for free use of this hymn in worship.

This hymn is part of an ecumenical collection of educational, worship and practical action resources for churches to end gun violence, available as free downloads on the national Presbyterian Church (USA) web site.

In interfaith worship services, this line may be used: 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."

See also God, We Have Heard It.

Books on Luke and Year C

Contact: bcgillette@comcast.net
www.carolynshymns.com/god_of_mercy_you_have_shown_us.html

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