On This Last Sunday In August: A Prayer For National Healing

"He will guard the feet of His godly ones,

but the wicked shall be silenced and perish in darkness;

for by strength no man shall prevail.

The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces;

against them will He thunder in heaven. 

The Lord will judge all peoples to the ends of the earth;

and He will give strength to His King and exalt

the power of His Anointed, His Christ."

1 Samuel 2:9-10

O God of earth and altar,  Bow down and hear our cry;

Our earthly rulers falter,  Our people drift and die;

The walls of gold entomb us,  The swords of scorn divide;

Take not Thy thunder from us,  But take away our pride.

From all that terror teaches,  From lies of tongue and pen;

From all the easy speeches  That comfort cruel men;

From sale and profanation,  Of honor and the sword;

From sleep and from damnation,  Deliver us good Lord!

Tie in a living tether,  The priest and prince and thrall;

Bind all our lives together,  Smite us and save us all.

In ire and exultation,  A flame with faith, and free,

Lift up a living nation, A single sword to Thee.

"O God Of Earth And Altar"
(1906)

G.K. Chesterton

Words and tune from

"The English Hymnal"

Oxford University Press