An American Presbyterian pastor has penned a moving hymn to unite churches in sharing grief and pain with the people of Haiti in the wake of the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that devastated the nation’s capital city on Jan. 12.
The new words are set to the tune of Beneath the Cross of Jesus (#238 in the Presbyterian Book of Praise).
Rev. Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, the hymn’s author and co-pastor at Limestone Presbyterian in Wilmington, Delaware, went on a mission trip to Haiti as a college student, and has penned many hymns about issues being addressed by Church Word Service, a U.S.-based charity, and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the PC(USA)’s relief and development branch.
Revs. Bruce and Carolyn Gillette have given permission for the Record to reproduce the hymn, and for it to be used by members of the Presbyterian Church in Canada.
Download a pdf version of the hymn complete with music.
Listen to the Limestone Presbyterian Chancel Choir and Living Water Ensemble perform the hymn.
In Haiti, There is Anguish
In Haiti, there is anguish that seems too much to bear;
A land so used to sorrow now knows even more despair.
From city streets, the cries of grief rise up to hills above;
In all the sorrow, pain and death, where are you, God of love?
A woman sifts through rubble, a man has lost his home,
A hungry, orphaned toddler sobs, for she is now alone.
Where are you, Lord, when thousands die—the rich, the poorest poor?
Were you the very first to cry for all that is no more?
O God, you love your children; you hear each lifted prayer!
May all who suffer in that land know you are present there.
In moments of compassion shown, in simple acts of grace,
May those in pain find healing balm, and know your love’s embrace.
Where are you in the anguish? Lord, may we hear anew
That anywhere your world cries out, you’re there—and suffering, too.
And may we see, in others’ pain, the cross we’re called to bear;
Send out your church in Jesus’ name to pray, to serve, to share.
Tune: Frederick Charles Maker, 1881
Text: Text: Copyright © 2010 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved. Permission is given for use by those who support Presbyterian Disaster Assistance.
