W. C. Benet: Hymn of Peace
====
Anti-war essays, poems, short stories and literary excerpts
American writers on peace and against war
====
W. C. Benet
Hymn of Peace
Our Heavenly Father, Lord of all,
Humbly before Thy throne we fall;
For world at war, O hear our prayer?
Spare us, good Lord, in mercy spare.
See countless graves of slaughtered dead,
Look on the tears by mourners shed;
Stretch forth, O Lord, Thy mighty hand,
Make war to cease in every land.
Mothers and maidens cry to Thee,
Pleading for peace on land and sea;
With broken heart and choking sigh
Widows and orphans join the cry.
O Holy Jesus, Prince of Peace,
Thou mad’st the angry tempest cease;
Now bend proud monarchs to Thy will,
Say to their armies, “Peace! Be still.”
Come, Holy Ghost, like Heavenly Dove,
Turn strife and hate to peace and love;
O’er the wide world Thine influence pour
Till hostile races rage no more.
Thou knowest, Lord, we are but dust;
Our helper Thou; in Thee we trust;
For bleeding nations hear our prayer?
Spare them, good Lord, in pity spare.
Amen.
