Sometimes our hunger for innovation, over-concern with relevance, insistence that hymns reflect personal experience rather than objective affirmation of faith in God, all combine to dull our awareness of that world out there, and the realities that have to be encountered and navigated every day.
Fosdick’s hymn is an unflinching confession of the mess of things, its recurring prayer to be granted wisdom and courage for living this hour, these days, at this time.
Praying this hymn brings before the God of grace, the state of our world, our country, and confesses the troubled heart and mind of contemporary culture.
1 God of grace and God of glory,
on thy people pour thy power;
crown thine ancient church's story,
bring its bud to glorious flower.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage
for the facing of this hour.
2 Lo! the hosts of evil round us
scorn thy Christ, assail his ways!
From the fears that long have bound us
free our hearts to faith and praise.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage
for the living of these days.
3 Cure thy children's warring madness;
bend our pride to your control;
shame our wanton, selfish gladness,
rich in things and poor in soul.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
lest we miss your kingdom's goal.
4 Save us from weak resignation
to the evils we deplore;
let the gift of thy salvation
be our glory evermore.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
serving you whom we adore.
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