Help for Christians

COMMENT: New Words to 'Jerusalem'
Many Christians find that the words of the popular hymn 'Jerusalem' are not really suitable to use in Christian worship. With this in mind, here is a new set of words to put to the well-known tune. Notes on the new version: The slightly patriotic/social feel of the original has deliberately been retained. It has been written not just to be sung by committed Christians. The social desire for a good society relates in Christian language to the Lord's Prayer and the doing of God's will here on earth. Society cannot radically change without a radical change in the human heart. Good society and peace can only be the overflow of peaceable people. That change has to start with us. Non-Christians can be helped by God and may show his peace without having a Christian commitment or a 'saving knowledge'. This means that the Peace of Christ could be seen in any singer (end of verse 1), especially following an invitation to the Lord to 'start with me'. The second verse focuses on the 'sending out' theme, since it is the second goal of worship, and too often gets ignored! The phrase 'instruments of peace' is a deliberate echo of the prayer of St. Francis. The final lines come back to the Lord's Prayer theme from the start.

HYMN - New Words to 'Jerusalem'
TUNE: C. Hubert H. Parry 1. God's Kingdom come, his will be done, so humankind can find true peace; peace in our hearts, our homes, our lands, creating love that will not cease. Lord start with us, and first with me: take from my heart all inner strife, so those around me see the Peace of Christ himself within my life. 2. Lord send us out, to give and serve, teach us to build and to unite, not cause division or oppress, but in all things to do the right. So shall we be your instruments of peace, diminishing life's pain, and we shall build your Kingdom here, and bring to earth your heav'nly reign. John Richards, 2004, Copyright waived for users of Help for Christians.co.uk