The Way of Peace

God, whose love is always stronger Than our weakness, pride and fear,
In your world, we pray and wonder How to be more faithful here.
Hate too often grows inside us; Fear rules what the nations do.
So we pray, when wars divide us: Give us love, Lord! Make us new!

Love is patient, kind and caring, Never arrogant or rude,
Never boastful, all things bearing; Love rejoices in the truth.
When we're caught up in believing War will make the terror cease,
Show us Jesus' way of living; May our strength be in your peace.

May our faith in you be nourished; May your churches hear your call.
May our lives be filled with courage As we speak your love for all.
Now emboldened by your Spirit Who has given us new birth,
Give us love, that we may share it Till your love renews the earth!

Biblical References: Romans 8:28-39, 2 Corinthians 12:9, John 3:7, Revelation 21:5, 1 Corinthians 13:4-5, John 14:27, Matthew 5-7, 1 Thessalonians 2:2, John 3:16, 17:18, Psalm 46:9, and Romans 8:22.

Suggested Tune: The Sacred Harp, 1844. Harm. James H. Wood, 1958.
Alternate Tunes: ABBOT'S LEIGH 8.7.8.7 D ("God Is Here!") by Cyril Vincent Taylor, 1941
HYFRYDOL 8.7.8.7 D ("Alleluia! Sing to Jesus!") by Rowland Hugh Prichard, 1831.

Permission for free one-time use is given for a congregational or ecumenical community service. The above copyright and contact information shall be included when reproducing this hymn in worship bulletins. Thank you. People who want to make a donation for using the hymn may do so online to Church of the Brethren General Board to support their important relief work.

Please share this hymn (with the above copyright and contact information) with other pastors, church musicians and friends in your community and online. Thank you.

Carolyn Winfrey Gillette is the author of Gifts of Love: New Hymns for Today's Worship (Geneva Press, 2000) and co-pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Pitman, NJ. A complete list of her hymns can be found at http://www.firstpresby.org/hymnlist.htm


By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. Luke 1: 78-79