The tangent, the touching, where God warms each heart -
Inspired by Matthew 5: 13-20
The tangent, the touching, where God warms each heart
provides re-creation, we make a new start
for here love is grounded and grace can be found;
for here God speaks quietly and whispers resound.
The cusp of the matter, yes, where God is found,
where questions are answered and sense is profound;
is here at the centre of children at play,
in work and in worship, or where people pray.
The spirit is dancing, philosophers play,
as hypocrites hide from the cold light of day,
a light that exposes each choice and each grudge
to God who through kindness, with mercy, will judge.
So answer each neighbour extinguish each grudge,
take Christ as your model and try not to smudge
the image of God that is found in your heart;
yes, join us in concert and each play your part.
Andrew E. Pratt (born 1948)
© 2004 Stainer and Bell Ltd., London, England, www.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 11 11 11
Tune: SAINT DEINIO
Author: Andrew Pratt
Andrew Pratt was born in Paignton, Devon, England in 1948.
Words for our time…3
Our words…the hushed silence of a library whisper
…lest God might hear our prayer?
No alleluia breaks the silence,
no footstep on the stair.
Over the wall…toward the sunset
Copyright Andrew Pratt 2026
Filled with fear may love surround us
Filled with fear may love surround us
Filled with fear may love surround us,
spirit ground us, in that love,
drench us with this expectation
here on, earth not just above.
May each day extend a welcome,
open hands and open hearts,
open homes that offer shelter,
love that never more departs.
God enfold us, always hold us,
may our human love extend
’til all people, every nation
know your love can never end.
Words: Andrew Pratt (born 1948) © 18 August 2026 Stainer & Bell Ltd, London, England, http://www.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 Tune: ALL FOR JESUS
Beyond the crime of crippled conversation…in spite of degradation
Beyond the crime of crippled conversation
1 Beyond the crime of crippled conversation,
that thunders when diplomacy is dead,
a still small voice will whisper in the darkness
dispelling what was once a living dread.
2 Here love, like feathers, scatters in a moment,
the breeze of war is reaching hatred’s height,
yet love is not forgotten or extinguished,
still bids us walk within the dying light.
3 And dawn will come again, another morning,
to shed its colours on a new found way,
and hope will rise in spite of degradation,
and still our praise will wake this dancing day.
Andrew E Pratt (born 1948)
© 2016 Stainer and Bell Ltd., London, England, www.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.
Watercolour © Andrew Pratt
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