Grant Us Wisdom & Courage Lord
God of Grace was written in 1930 by
Harry Fosdick for the dedication of
Riverside Church in New York City.
The hymn was written while the
US was in the Great Depression
between the two world wars.
Fosdick championed social gospel
& recognized the plight of the poor
during the Industrial Revolution.
The hymn is essentially a petition:
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage.
The appeal to God concludes each
stanza with the effect of a refrain.
Lord, grant us Power & Courage:
Therefore… stir up the Gift of God
which is in you thro laying of hands…
For God has not given us a spirit
of fear, but of power & of love and
of a sound mind..Don’t be ashamed
of the testimony of our Lord…
but share with me in the sufferings
for the gospel according to the
Power of God (2Tim 1:6-8). Amen.
Father, thank You for the gifts,
talents & passion implanted in us.
Prosper us Lord we ask of You,
in all that we put our hands to.
May our hearts be filled with
Your love, our lips with gentle,
helpful words, and our hands
with kind and unselfish deeds.
May Your Holy Spirit in all things
direct and rule our minds & hearts.
In Jesus’mighty name we pray.Amen
Father God, thank You for the Gift
of the Holy Spirit and thank You
for the Spirit’s presence in our life.
Empower us Lord to overcome sin
and as we face challenges in life.
Thank You Lord for giving us
the Power to overcome fear.
Show us where fear is holding us
back so that we can press forward
into the victory You have for us.
Grant us wisdom & grant us courage
for the living of these days. Amen.
God of grace and God of glory,
On your people pour Your Power;
Crown Your ancient church’s story,
Bring its bud to glorious flower.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage
For the facing of this hour,
For the facing of this hour…
Cure Yr children’s warring madness
bend our pride to Your control;
shame our wanton, selfish gladness
rich in things and poor in soul.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
lest we miss Your kingdom’s goal,
lest we miss Yr kingdom’s goal.Amen