LORD, FOR THE YEARS Your love has kept and guided,
Urged and inspired us, cheered us on our way,
Sought us and saved us, pardoned and provided:
Lord of the years, we bring our thanks today.

Lord, for that word, the word of life which fires us,
Speaks to our hearts and sets our souls ablaze,
Teaches and trains, rebukes us and inspires us:
Lord of the word, receive Your people’s praise.

Lord, for our land in this our generation,
Spirits oppressed by pleasure, wealth and care:
For young and old, for commonwealth and nation,
Lord of our land, be pleased to hear our prayer.

Lord, for our world where men disown and doubt You,
Loveless in strength, and comfortless in pain,
Hungry and helpless, lost indeed without You:
Lord of the world, we pray that Christ may reign.

Lord for ourselves; in living power remake us –
Self on the cross and Christ upon the throne,
Past put behind us, for the future take us:
Lord of our lives, to live for Christ alone.
     Timothy Dudley-Smith.
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PRAISE TO THE LORD, THE ALMIGHTY, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise Him, for He is thy health and salvation!
All ye who hear,
Brothers and sisters, draw near,
Praise Him in glad adoration.

Praise to the Lord, who doth prosper thy work and defend thee;
Surely His goodness and mercy here daily attend thee:
Ponder anew
What the Almighty can do,
Who with His love doth befriend thee.

Praise to the Lord, who, when darkness of sin is abounding,
Who, when the godless do triumph, all virtue confounding,
Sheddeth His light,
Chaseth the horrors of night,
Saints with His mercy surrounding.

Praise to the Lord! O let all that is in me adore Him!
All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before Him!
Let the Amen
Sound from His people again:
Gladly for aye we adore Him.
     Joachim Neander.
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GOD OF GRACE AND GOD OF GLORY,
On Thy people pour Thy power.
Crown Thine ancient church’s story.
Bring her bud to glorious flower.
Grant us wisdom,
Grant us courage,
For the facing of this hour.

Lo! the hosts of evil round us
Scorn Thy Christ, assail His ways!
Fears and doubts too long have bound us.
Free our hearts to work and praise.
Grant us wisdom, Grant us courage,
For the living of these days.

Heal Thy children’s warring madness.
Bend our pride to Thy control.
Shame our wanton, selfish gladness,
Rich in things and poor in soul.
Grant us wisdom, Grant us courage,
Lest we miss Thy kingdom’s goal.

Set our feet on lofty places.
Gird our lives that they may be
Armoured with all Christlike graces
In the fight to set men free.
Grant us wisdom, Grant us courage,
That we fail not man nor Thee.

Save us from weak resignation
To the evils we deplore.
Let the search for Thy salvation
Be our glory ever more.
Grant us wisdom, Grant us courage,
Serving Thee whom we adore.
     H. E. Fosdick.
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TELL OUT, MY SOUL, the greatness of the Lord!
Unnumbered blessings give my spirit voice.
Tender to me the promise of His word.
In God my Saviour shall my heart rejoice.

Tell out, my soul, the greatness of His name!
Make known His might, the deeds His arm has done.
His mercy sure, from age to age the same.
His holy name – the Lord, the mighty One.

Tell out, my soul, the greatness of His might!
Powers and dominions lay their glory by.
Proud hearts and stubborn wills are put to flight,
The hungry fed, the humble lifted high.

Tell out, my soul, the glories of His word!
Firm is His promise, and His mercy sure:
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord
To children’s children and forever more!
     Timothy Dudley-Smith.
Contributors:   David Carter, Revd Graham Summers, Robert Walpole, Kathryn Grudgings, Ruth Green, Vanessa Margan
Production:   David Carter