Father Eternal, Ruler of Creation (EN 60)

1

Father eternal, Ruler of creation,

Spirit of life, which moved ere form was made;

Through the thick darkness covering every nation,

Light to man’s blindness, O be Thou our aid:

Thy kingdom come, O Lord, Thy will be done.

2

Races and peoples, lo! we stand divided,

And sharing not our griefs, no joy can share;

By wars and tumults love is mocked, derided,

His conquering cross no kingdom wills to bear:

Thy kingdom come, O Lord, Thy will be done.

3

Envious of heart, blind eyed, with tongues confounded,

Nation by nation still goes unforgiven;

In wrath and fear, by jealousies surrounded,

Building proud towers which shall not reach to heaven:

Thy kingdom come, O Lord, Thy will be done.

4

Lust of possession worketh desolations;

There is no meekness in the sons of earth;

Led by no star, the rulers of the nations

Still fail to bring us to the blissful birth.

Thy kingdom come, O Lord, Thy will be done.

5

How shall we love Thee, holy, hidden Being,

If we love not the world which Thou hast made?

O give us brother love for better seeing

Thy world made flesh, and in a manger laid:

Thy kingdom come, O Lord, Thy will be done.