This is a day of both prayer and praising (A Hymn for New Year) (website only)

(Text based on Jeremiah 31: 7-14)

This day is a day of both prayer and of praising,
of gathʹring the nations from east and from west,
the people far south, from the north are arising,
this day is the day when the nations are blessed.

This year is the year of divine consolation.
The poor will not stumble, the weak will not fall.
The hungry are feasting, the children are dancing.
The outcast are welcomed, they come at Godʹs call.

This vision of newness, of hope for the future,
is set out before us as challenge and choice,
yes this is the labour to which God is calling,
to bring in this kingdom, this cause to rejoice.

Words: Andrew Pratt (born 1948) © Stainer & 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: 12.11.12.11.

Suggested tunes: "The road and miles to Dundee" (StF 604) or "Streets of Laredo"