Author: Andrew Pratt

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

Hymn inspired by Romans 5 – God of consistency

Hymn inspired by Romans 5 - God of consistency - Suitable for Aldersgate Sunday

1	God of consistency, love without limits, 
	ground of all being and all that will be, 
	compass us round with compassionate kindness, 
	higher than mountains, as deep as the sea.

2	God of all graciousness, walking beside us, 
	there at our birthing, yet on beyond death,
	God of transcendence, unrivalled, majestic, 
	God beyond knowledge, yet closer than breath.

3	God in all being, yet ground of existence, 
	God beyond grasping, unbounded by law,
	while we are moved to sing loud alleluias,
	here would we worship in silence and awe.

Andrew E Pratt (born 1948)
Words © 2014 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: 11 10 11 10
Tune: STEWARDSHIP (Ruddle)

Love’s debt

13: 34 I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.

1	Love's debt to each and all we owe, 
	to those who brought us to this day, 
	and how can we return this love? 
	In things we do? In words we say?

2	Some debts seem more than we can bear, 
	to brother, sister, parent, child; 
	for while we give and give again, 
	our love is weak, our sense beguiled.

3	O God where is the purest love, 
	that does not seek for pride or wealth? 
	God give to me, that I might share,
	the love that seeks another's health.

4	God help me love as you love me 
	with selfless, unremitting care. 
	And when I look to those around 
	to see the face of Christ is there.

Andrew E Pratt (born 1948)
© 2014 Stainer and 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: LM
Tune: RIVAULX (StF 735)

A challenge to the church to change – ‘When the church, afraid of changing’

A challenge to the church to change – ‘When the church, afraid of changing’

Hymn writers sometimes ask questions of the church and then flesh out the consequences of the actions they have described. Fred Pratt Green’s - ‘When the Church of Jesus shuts its outer door’ is one such hymn (perhaps too challenging, or near to the bone, to be in Hymns & Psalms or Singing the Faith?) As we live out the time through lectionary readings from resurrection to Pentecost we have a chance to reflect on what the church is, and what it might be expected to be. Remember that Jesus death was partly a consequence of his challenging people to change their perspectives of faith.

When the church, afraid of changing,
clings to glories of the past, 
holding fast to long lost memories, 
sure that it will always last, 
lost in time, devoid of spirit, 
know this truth, its fate is cast.

When the church no longer welcomes 
people other than it's own, 
when it thinks its understanding 
stands complete, is fully grown, 
love is rarely seen in action, 
grace is only, thinly, sown.

Jesus challenged expectation, 
turning tables upside down, 
those who once were thought as holy 
he confronted with a frown.
When, then, will we learn the lesson,
own that cross, that thorny crown?

Andrew Pratt 3/5/2025
© Words Andrew Pratt © 2025 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: 87 87 87
Tunes: PICARDY; RHUDDLAN

Persistent God, your gracious understanding – God’s grace at Easter

Persistent God, your gracious understanding  

1	Persistent God, your gracious understanding 
	returns the love that often we with-hold. 
	When met with our resistance and denial 
	you greet with peace and draw us from the cold. 
	
2	Three times you challenged Peter's frail commitment, 
	that stemmed from reasoned nervousness and fear. 
	Three times he answered that he really loved you, 
	you held him though he'd seemed so insincere.
	
3	You see beyond our actions and our motives, 
	you read the hope that's written in each heart, 
	and in this knowledge welcome home your children 
	by showing each and all a place and part.

Andrew E Pratt (born 1948)  
Words © 2013 © 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: 11 10 11 10
Tunes: HIGHWOOD; INTERCESSOR