I am currently engaged with a challenge to write a new worship song every month for twelve months. This month’s challenge has been to write about our hometown or village. With my enthusiasm for weaving ideas of faith and science together it was unsurprising that a hymn/ song for Cambridge (UK) suggested itself. (We live on the edge of the City).
It could equally be used by any chapel/ church/ worship group in any University town - worldwide. The prayer-plea for wisdom feels very needed in this day and age.
Here it is: the verses can be sung to ’The Church’s One Foundation’ (Aurelia) with an invitation for the refrain to be improvised by local musicians.
Where intellects are nurtured
in this fast-moving age,
the gift of Godly wisdom
is needed day by day:
when innovation fosters
new ethical demands,
or scientific progress
might transgress God’s commands.
Refrain
Give wisdom, dear Lord we pray,
Give wisdom, Lord, day by day.
Give wisdom, dear Lord we pray
Give wisdom, Lord, day by day
Where intellects are gathered
from countries far and wide
deep-rooted propositions
will frequently arise:
for with such fertile gatherings
of minds from many a race,
Inspired, wide-ranging theories
can be explored apace.
Refrain
Give wisdom, dear Lord we pray,
Give wisdom, Lord, day by day.
Give wisdom, dear Lord we pray
Give wisdom, Lord, day by day
Where intellects are welcome
from every race and creed,
inclusive ways are crucial
for Learning to proceed.
So Lord, let moral purpose
and peace-based attitudes
grace all our institutions,
where research is pursued.
Refrain
Give wisdom, dear Lord we pray,
Give wisdom, Lord, day by day.
Give wisdom, dear Lord we pray,
Give wisdom, Lord, day by day.