God of the nations, who hast led Thy children since the world began, Through doubt and struggle, pain and tears, Unfolding Thy eternal plan; From countless hilltops as of old The fire upon the altar flares; Through countless rites, in countless tongues, Men offer their imperfect prayers; Hasten the time of our release, Bring in Thy reign of truth and peace. O Jesus Christ, incarnate Son, Who bore our flesh that men might see The vision of the perfect life Fashioned in their humanity; By all Thy words of heavenly truth, By all Thy deeds of mercy wrought, By all the passion of Thy cross, By the redemption Thou hast brought; Hasten the time of our release, Bring in Thy reign of truth and peace. O Holy Spirit, who dost touch The prophets with Thy sacred fire Eternal wisdom to whose light All seekers after truth aspire; Behold the warring sons of men, The helpless by the strong oppressed, The truth with error still concealed, The evil grudgingly confessed; Hasten the time of our release, Bring in Thy reign of truth and peace. O God triune, Thy Church today In penitence before Thee kneels Mourning her years of slothful ease, Her deafness to the world’s appeals; Divided where she should be one, Enamored of a lesser strife, Tithing the mint and cumin while Men perish for the Bread of Life; Hasten the time of our release, Bring in Thy reign of truth and peace. Restore to us the vision, Lord, Descend with fires of Pentecost; Our tongues unloose, our hearts inflame, To preach the Gospel to the lost: Here at Thy feet our prayer is made, Here life and wealth we dedicate; Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, Lord, Thy anointing we await; Hasten the time of our release, Bring in Thy reign of truth and peace. |