Lord God of All, Forgive Us

This hymn expresses God's compassion for immigrants and refugees. Text: Lord God of All, forgive us that we’ve drawn our lines again, made maps and placed such barriers as nowhere seen in Heav’n. Forgive us when we’d limit love or set ‘our’ land apart. Lord, migrants always had a place within your wider heart. It was a tenet of your law: In harvests, don’t be sure to gather ev’ry grape or sheaf, but leave some for the poor, for orphans, widows, foreigners, the people passing through. Lord, you reminded Israel that they’d been migrants, too. From Pharaoh, armies, slavery, you’d brought out Israel, as Egypt, once receptive, had become no place to dwell. Still later, our Lord Jesus Christ taught hospitality. “I was a stranger,” he said simply, “and you welcomed me.” So, open shuttered hearts of ours, while opening our view to see, past maps and barriers, the Kingdom giv'n by you. Then move us, Lord, with thankfulness and spirit to explore the lives of all those, welcomed, in the boundless heart of yours. Musical Details: For this new hymn text, we suggest the well-known tune ALL SAINTS NEW. You are likely to have keyboard, guitar, or other resources for it. However, KINGSFOLD or other Common Meter Double tunes can also work. To supply the words to your congregation, download the appropriate "Text Only" or "Hymnsheet" file for projecting or putting into a bulletin. NOTE: The Hymn Society has compiled a booklet of good hymns on this topic, entitled "Singing Welcome." Click here for connection.