God grant us words to speak (StF 647)
- Authors & translators:
- Luff, Alan
- Metre:
- 66.86 Short Metre
- Tune:
- Garelochside
- Composers & arrangers:
- Finlay, Kenneth George
- Theme:
- Reconciliation and Healing
- Source:
- Singing the Faith: 647 (CD26 #24)
- Verses:
- 5
- STF Number:
- 647
Ideas for use
Alan Luff’s hymn, “God grant us words to speak”, will be suitable in a range of contexts where the right words need to be found to address hard situations. (Mothering Sunday, for example, with the shadow of the cross falling ever more darkly over our Lenten reflections, may be one of them. The marking of World AIDS Day may be another. Norman Wallwork suggests using this text on Ash Wednesday.)
Luff helps us pray to find the right words “to ease the pain that others feel” and points out (v.4) that, even as he was being crucified, Jesus’ “thoughts amid death’s strife / were for the ones whose pain he healed / by words of love and life.”