Hymn inspired by Mark 7: 24-30 – She felt just like a ragged dog

She felt just like a ragged dog - inspired by Mark 7: 24-30

1 She felt just like a ragged dog
that scratched around for food,
denied, despised and kicked aside
and never any good.

2 Yet now she stood inside the door
and pleaded with this man,
for each taboo had little weight,
her grief had wider span.

3 Her child had need of healing help
and she would make Christ hear,
the urgency of anguished need
had overcome her fear.

4 And in that moment he would learn,
audacity would teach
that human laws and well worn creeds
put no-one out of reach.

5 Compassion ruled and love compelled
to action on that day,
and Jesus' reach was broadened as
he learnt that grace held sway.

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: CM
Tune: ST PETER (How sweet the name of Jesus sounds)