Category: Poems

Prophets once challenged our human indifference calling us to open our hearts to our neighbours

Prophets once challenged our human indifference

1           Prophets once challenged our human indifference,
              bringing hypocrisy into the light.
              Shone through our prejudice, challenging, searching,
              opening eyes in the darkness of night.

2           Into this moment of crisis, of worship,
              when we will offer our prayers and our praise,
              lead us to promises, quell our indifference,
              help us commit to your life and your ways.

3           Open our hearts to each friend and each neighbour,
              quench any hatred or fear at its source.
              When we might wander away from your loving,
              take us, and lead us, and keep us on course.

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 – A challenge this week – what tune would you use?

Photo Copyright Andrew Pratt 2026

Treasures abounding, wonders confounding Matthew 13: 44-45

Treasures abounding, wonders confounding -inspired by Matthew 13: 44-45

1	Treasures abounding, wonders confounding
	limits and concepts humanly held; 
	pearls of great treasure, love beyond measure, 
	graciously given, never compelled.
	
2	Yeast for our baking, loaves we are making, 
	bread for our breaking, wine for our thirst: 
	here in communion we find a union, 
	table of feasting, last shall be first.
	
3	Seed for the sowing, life for the growing, 
	Jesus is showing how we can live; 
	smallest beginnings, richest of winnings, 
	we are receiving all God can give.

Andrew Pratt (born 1948)
© 2011 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: 10 9 10 9
Tune: BUNESSAN

He touched the ones that others would despise hymn inspired by Matthew 15: 10 – 28

He touched the ones that others would despise

1	He touched the ones that others would despise, 
	he lifted up the poor to help them rise, 
	he stemmed the hypocrites within their pride 
	and drew the little children to his side.
	
2	He stopped the ones who'd stone a woman dead, 
	then offered care, forgiving her instead. 
	He called his friend once buried in a cave,
	he promised love would live beyond the grave.
	
3	He poured himself in love to all the earth, 
	a sacrifice of grace affirmed our worth,
	and now this simple sacrifice is all 
	we need to make to follow at God's call.

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: 10 10 10 10
Tunes: ALL SOULS; CHILTON FOLIAT

Churning waves unsettled Peter – a hymn inspired by Matthew 14: 22-33

Matthew 14: 22-33 - the faith to walk on water – 12 Aug

1	Churning waves unsettled Peter, 
	startled, he was sinking fast, 
	he'd been walking on the water, 
	seemed this moment could not last.
	Jesus reached a hand to save him, 
	lifted him above the swell.
	Fainting faith seemed to have left him, 
	Jesus knew this all too well.
	
2	In the boat things seemed much safer 
	but his friends, now overawed, 
	knew again, the truth was dawning, 
	this man Jesus was their Lord. 
	Even wind and waves obeyed him, 
	here God's nature was betrayed;
	when we're sinking God still lifts us, 
	love and grace are still displayed.

Andrew Pratt (born 1948)
Words © 2011 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
Metre8 7 8 7 D
Tune: CALON LAN

The shells which cup such precious pearls – The Pearl of Great Price

The shells which cup such precious pearls – The Pearl of Great Price

The shells which cup such precious pearls
are like our hands that cradle hope, 
which reach to others out of love; 
we seek assurance, strength to cope.

The pearls that hold a core of grit 
are like the grace that we have found, 
though life is troubled, sharp and sour, 
God folds in love, that’s sure and sound.

And so with hands like open shells 
we offer pearls of greatest price,
the spirit's power, the grace of God 
and Jesus' loving sacrifice.

Andrew Pratt (born 1948)
Words © 2009 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: LM
Tune: BRESLAU