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Anything that we might say seems trite. Nothing we can do seems adequate; but we cannot stand by and watch.
So we do the little we can do. Like millions of others we are giving to the Disaster Emergency Appeal and praying. We pray for those who have the responsibility of co-ordinating the Aid effort – that they may have wisdom.
We pray for those who have lost everything and everyone – that somehow (beyond our reasoning) hope may grow again. We pray for those who are still waiting to hear – that they may find strength.
On Sunday January 2nd, we sang this hymn, written by our Minister. It is based on Psalm 88. Its tune is Bryn Calfaria, which can be found in the Methodist hymnbook Hymns and Psalms - number 616.
“Where are you, God of salvation?” Earth cries out to the darkest night. Overturned is all creation In the chaos of ocean’s might. Hearts and minds are Filled with anguish, Hell draws nearer – Numbered we among the dead.
How can we still sing your praises When our world is devoured by death – In the village that flood razes, Where its people no more draw breath? Dark is daylight, Dark as thunder, Dark is terror As the abyss opens wide.
All our help is gone and vanished, Lost, forsaken, we seem to be. Earth’s delight for us is banished; Grave and death-trench are all we see. Heavy is our Fear and panic, FLood and tempest Threaten all our hopes and dreams.
Easy answers would demean us; Empty promises have no place. Close the distance set between us In the chasm that shows its face. In the struggle, Of re-building, Give your courage To those making all things new.
So we do the little we can do. Like millions of others we are giving to the Disaster Emergency Appeal and praying. We pray for those who have the responsibility of co-ordinating the Aid effort – that they may have wisdom.