Poems – hymnsandbooks

We have no licence through our faith – a hymn

We have no licence through our faith – a hymn – I hope that the image with this text speaks into our world today

1           We have no licence through our faith
              to carve a way of wrong,
              yet Christ has loved beyond the law,
              brought freedom to our song.

2           In foolishness we build again
              the walls that Christ broke down,
              no human law is needed now
              for judgement wears no frown.

3           For those that we would turn away,
              condemn by human law,
              are ones that Jesus held as friends,
              gave love and life and more.

4           So put away all arrogance,
              self-righteousness and pride,
              to greet with self-effacing love,
              the ones that some deride.

5           Then seeing Christ in everyone,
              there’s nothing to discuss,
              through loving action, humble word,
              they may see Christ in us.

Andrew Pratt © 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.

Created by HymnQuest.com

Metre: CM Tune: ABRIDGE

God’s grace extends beyond our comprehension – a hymn of forgiveness and reconciliation

God’s grace extends beyond our comprehension – a hymn of forgiveness and reconciliation

God’s grace extends beyond our comprehension,
beyond the limits that we put on love.
God calls us to forgiveness and redemption,
sometimes the bar is just too high above.

When we are wronged God feels the hurt we suffer
and enters into every human pain;
yet when our hatred flames, God makes a buffer,
absorbing venom time and time again.

We are not called beyond what we can offer
in giving someone back the peace we prize;
and yet when we are numb our God can proffer
the gift and grace to help us to arise.

And then once in a while perhaps we’ll manage,
through grace and not within our strength alone,
to show forgiveness that may help us salvage
relationships that once we would disown.

Andrew Pratt (born 1948)
Words © 2010 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: INTERCESSOR
Created by HymnQuest.com

Great Budworth © Andrew Pratt

Hymn in respect of those who affected by the Nepalese mud slide disaster

A flood of degradation sweeps life and limb away – hymn in respect of those who affected by the Nepalese mud slide disaster

A flood of degradation
sweeps life and limb away.
Is God within this carnage
of death by night and day?
A stream of mud pours downward
that nothing can resist;
no reason and no purpose
behind this fatal twist?

Is this another symptom, 
like avalanche and fire, 
made worse by global warming, 
by greed and our desire; 
desire for domination, 
regardless of the cost, 
with ecosystems damaged, 
and earthly balance lost

Great God is there no answer, 
no justifying plea, 
no easy explanation 
for all we sense and see?
And while our minds still struggle 
to come to terms with grief, 
help us to go on loving, 
to try to bring relief?

Beyond our understanding 
creation screams and turns, 
God hold us and enfold us 
as faith decays and burns.
Yes, hold us in our anguish 
when reason quakes and sighs, 
bring light to lead us forward 
when all creation cries.

Andrew Pratt (born 1948)
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
Metre: 7.6.7.6 D

Tune: AURELIA

These words written at the time of the recent Nepalese mud slide also raise questions that resurface at other times of natural disasters. They are a reflection, not an answer. What we see raises questions for me. What can we do at such times that can have any relevance at all? At the least, perhaps, giving to relief organisations. I intend to give to BRITISH RED CROSS on this link. If you can help in this or any other way, please do.

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?

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