GOD OF THE POOR

Heather Allington

Heather writes for Sunday Song Book on behalf of the The Salvation Army Oshawa. As a lifelong member of the Army, she has loved these familiar - and some less familiar - songs for many years, and enjoys researching and writing about their origins. She is a wife, mother, grandmother and retired elementary school teacher who likes trying her hand at watercolour painting and poetry writing.

Beauty for brokenness, hope for despair,
Lord, in Your suffering world, this is our prayer;
Bread for the children, justice, joy, peace,
Sunrise to sunset Your Kingdom increase!

CHORUS:
God of the poor, Friend of the weak,
Give us compassion, we pray.
Melt our cold hearts; let tears fall like rain;
Come, change our love from a spark to a flame.

Shelter for fragile lives, cures for their ills,
Work for the craftsmen, trade for their skills,
Land for the dispossessed, rights for the weak,
Voices to plead the cause of those who can’t speak.

Refuge from cruel wars, havens from fear,
Cities for sanctuary, freedoms to share,
Peace to the killing fields, scorched earth to green,
Christ for the bitterness, His cross for the pain.

Rest for the ravaged earth, oceans and streams
Plundered and poisoned – our future, our dreams.
Lord, end our madness, carelessness, greed;
Make us content with the things that we need.

Lighten our darkness; breathe on this flame
Until Your justice burns brightly again,
Until the nations learn of Your ways,
Seek Your salvation and bring You their praise.

As we prepare for Remembrance Day and consider what warring has done in our world, let’s also contemplate this challenging, pleading prayer by Graham Kendrick. Kendrick is a British singer, songwriter and worship leader, born in 1950. He has numerous songs and recordings to his name, the most well-known song being Shine, Jesus, Shine . He has been awarded two Honorary Doctor of Divinity degrees for his contribution to Christian worship. Besides his many other accomplishments, Graham Kendrick is the founder of the movement, “March for Jesus”.