Author: Andrew Pratt

Andrew Pratt was born in Paignton, Devon, England in 1948.

Jesus’ steadfast loving kindness – a hymn for Jackie – died 29th April 2026

Jesus’ steadfast loving kindness – a hymn for Jackie – died 29th April 2026

This hymn will be sung for the first time at her funeral at Comberbach Methodist Church, Northwich on 14th May 2026.

Jesus’ steadfast loving kindness – a hymn for Jackie – died 29th April 2026

Jesus’ steadfast loving kindness 
warmed the hearts of those he met, 
we who follow at a distance 
emulate, do not forget. 
So within this present moment 
as we sing and praise and pray, 
cover us with your compassion, 
wipe the tears of grief away. 

Help us recollect our sister, 
how she shared her love and care, 
reaching out to friend and stranger, 
facing down the hostile stare, 
how she weathered grief and sadness, 
not accounting worldly wealth, 
till her loving sapped resources 
draining life and strength and health. 

When we leave this place of worship, 
trusting her into your hand, 
may we know in love’s resources, 
we can follow, strive and stand. 
Lead us onward, ever onward 
hold in mind, her love, her face, 
may your steadfast loving kindness, 
hold us, keep us in your grace.

Andrew Pratt 30th April 2026
Words 2026 © Stainer & Bell Ltd, London, England copyright@stainer.co.uk . Please include any reproduction for local church use on your CCL Licence returns. All wider and any commercial use requires prior application to Stainer & Bell Ltd.
Tune: CALON LAN
Written for Jackie’s funeral – Jackie Daniels 1943-2026



Look beyond your life’s horizon – A hymn for Pentecost

Look beyond your life’s horizon – A hymn for Pentecost which echoes Joel 2: 28  & Acts 2: 1-21

Look beyond your life’s horizon,
what will come of life on earth?
God forsaken? Horror stricken?
Or a hope of love’s rebirth?
Look into this unknown future,
ask what actions can we take,
so that peace becomes an option
in decisions that we make.

Placing God right at the centre,
seeing Christ in those we meet,
moving with a gracious Spirit,
could make hopes and dreams complete;
dreams passed down through generations,
where in spite of faith or creed,
people reach to one another,
seek to meet another’s need.

Could it be within our lifetime
that the riches of this earth
might be shared, yes shared out freely,
not by lottery of birth?
Could we learn to be less selfish,
letting go, not grasping wealth,
till the world and all it’s peoples
live in harmony and health?

Andrew E Pratt (born 1948)         
Words © 2017 Stainer & Bell Ltd, London, England copyright@stainer.co.uk . Please include any reproduction for local church use on your CCL Licence returns. All wider and any commercial use requires prior application to Stainer & Bell Ltd.
Metre: 8 7 8 7 D Tune: HYFRYDOL

Created by HymnQuest.com

When grief is raw and anger burns – a hymn for those who grieve

When grief is raw and anger burns – a hymn for those who grieve

1	When grief is raw and anger burns 
	and lives are churned about, 
	the reed will bruise, but will not break, 
	love's flame will not snuff out.
	
2	Our depth of love is signalled by 
	this parting stress we feel 
	and neither platitudes, nor prayer, 
	can make our loss less real.
	
3	Yes, death will sting and pain will hurt, 
	but love will not recede, 
	for God is greater than our loss 
	and to our God we plead.
	
4	We cry for peace, we plead for rest, 
	we ask that we might trace, 
	through every mem'ry that we hold, 
	God's present love and grace.

Andrew Pratt (born 1948)
Words 2008 © Stainer & Bell Ltd, London, England copyright@stainer.co.uk . Please include any reproduction for local church use on your CCL Licence returns. All wider and any commercial use requires prior application to Stainer & Bell Ltd.
Metre: CM
Tune: BEATITUDO

On the Sunday between my wife’s death and her funeral one of the lectionary readings is John 14: 15 – 21
Jesus’ words…18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”

HymnQuest.com suggests this hymn, written 18 years ago as one related to this text.

How can God, condemned, be hanging? – the test of all that deserves to be called Christian…

How can God, condemned, be hanging? – the test of all that deserves to be called  Christian… (See Jurgen Moltmann The Crucified God)

How can God, condemned, be hanging?
False messiahs meet such ends, 
and the ones then testifying, 
have no need to make amends.
Educated folk were laughing, 
they foresaw what was to come, 
saw disciples hiding, crying, 
feeling both distraught and numb.
             
But that early Easter morning 
brought another scene to bear, 
Jesus mission had not ended, 
he was risen, standing there.
Still the story, more than foolish 
soon gave rise to talk and doubt. 
‘Surely God could never suffer?’ 
taunting people tease and shout.
             
Signs and wisdom are confounded 
by that stumbling block, the cross. 
Things that we once saw as wisdom 
now dismissed as foolish dross.
God had shown such strength in weakness. 
Those who shared Christ’s dying breath
now at last could claim dominion, 
love defeating hate and death.

Andrew E Pratt (born 1948)
Words © 2012 © Stainer & Bell Ltd, London, England copyright@stainer.co.uk . Please include any reproduction for local church use on your CCL Licence returns. All wider and any commercial use requires prior application to Stainer & Bell Ltd.
Metre: 8 7 8 7 D Tune: CALON LAN
Created by HymnQuest.com