Wednesday, March 2, 2016

Hymn for General Synod 2016

"We Listen for God's Truth"

Often as part of my own personal spiritual rhythm, God speaks to me through music and hymns. A piece of that for me is the opportunity to be creative in writing words that are set to traditional hymn tunes.

Last night, I was pondering the conversation within our Anglican Church of Canada around changing the marriage canon to allow for same gender couples to be included. This is a complex conversation influenced by different perspectives, beliefs and interpretations. However, if we are to be faithful to God, we must keep ourselves spiritually attuned and engaged with what the Holy Spirit is doing among us and through us.

The words to this hymn reflect my prayer that we as faithful followers of Christ and as children of God will walk the pilgrim road before us attentive and aware that God is walking it with us. God's truth inspires us; God's Spirit speaks to us; and we are called to join in building and promoting the reign of God that is both here now and yet to come.

I pray that this hymn may invite us to be intentional about making sure that our spirituality and following the leading of the Holy Spirit is at the center of all we do; the conversations we have; and the decisions we make.

It is set to a tune which is a personal favorite of mine, best known for it's use in Holy Week and on Good Friday.

Please pray it with me ... and may God's Spirit be what guides us as we faithfully discern and live out our call to "seek and serve Christ in all people loving our neighbors as ourselves" and to " work for justice and peace among all people, respecting the dignity of every human being."


We Listen for God’s Truth

Tune: Locw Unknown
Meter: 66 66 44 44

We listen for God’s truth
O Spirit speak your Word;
The gospel calls each one,
our open hearts to stir.
We long to see the way ahead
A people God has called and led.

We need your guidance God
To live our faith each day
Our human lives are flawed,
we come to you to pray.
Grant us discernment by your grace
And see you in this holy space.  

We walk a pilgrim road
Attentive and aware
Your blessings are bestowed
We’re called to thank you and share.
A way of life we walk each day
Assist us not to go astray.

Speak through each thought and prayer
Your will be our desire
To love and always care
A faithful life inspire.
We’re called to follow Jesus’ way
God’s reign rejoicing to display. 

Text: copyright, The Rev. Canon Mark Kinghan, 2016. Not to be reproduced or redistributed in any form without the express written permission of the author.