Following is the other text that I mentioned in my last post – without a doubt the most powerful hymn text that I know – words by Fred Kaan*.  Especially I call to our attention the final two lines of the second stanza.

Help us accept each other as Christ accepted us; teach us as sister, brother, each person to embrace.  Be present, Lord, among us and bring us to believe we are ourselves accepted, and meant to love and live.

Teach us, O Lord, your lessons, as in our daily life we struggle to be human and search for hope and faith.  Teach us to care for people, for all, not just for some, to love them as we find them, or as they may become.

Let your acceptance change us, so that we may be moved in living situations to do the truth in love; to practice your acceptance until we know by heart the table of forgivness, and laughter’s healing art.

Lord, for today’s encounters with all who are in need, who hunger for acceptance, for righteousness and bread, we need new eyes for seeing, new hands for holding on; renew us with your Spirit; Lord, free us, make us one!

*Copyright 1975 by Hope Publishing Company.