One Final Plea, Have Mercy...
"Morning by morning, new mercies I see."
It was a service of prayer, aimed toward a goal of national unity. Probably an overly ambitious mission… but hey, worth a try, right? Mark me down as a believer in the power of prayer.
The service took place at the Washington National Cathedral, January 21, attended by President Trump, his family, and various members of the new administration. The cathedral is also the seat of The Episcopal Church’s presiding bishop and the bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington. The homily was delivered by the Right Rev. Mariann Budde, Episcopal bishop of Washington, who outlined three foundations for unity: honesty, humility, and honoring the dignity of every human.
Her closing words were directed toward President Trump: “Let me make one final plea, Mr. President. Millions have put their trust in you. …In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now. … I ask you to have mercy, Mr. President, on those in our communities whose children fear that their parents will be taken away, and that you help those who are fleeing war zones and persecution in their own lands to find compassion and welcome here.”
I started writing about these merciful thoughts directed toward the little, the least, the last, and the lost. But then I got sidetracked. I began wondering about the hymns. That’s right. This humble church organist (humility proportional to talent) started musing about the hymn selection. Who chose them? Who vetted these choices? And most important, why wasn’t I consulted?!?
The service’s booklet is available online (https://cathedral.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Service-of-Prayer-for-the-Nation-2025-Online.pdf). The document you may have seen being waved about is readily accessible, something I appreciate. And – drumroll – the hymns:
--Hymn at the Procession, “For the Healing of the Nations,” Westminster Abbey tune
--National Anthem of the USA, “The Star-Spangled Banner”
--Hymn, "God of Our Fathers”
--Hymn, "America The Beautiful”
--Hymn at the Closing, “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”
Suffice to say, I have thoughts (and will share, ha!). First, regarding the bishop’s remarks: Any plea for mercy, every plea for compassion, is appropriate. Always and forever. Any, every, always. Case closed.
Now, onto the hymns: “For the Healing…” lyrics are modern as hymns go, from 1968. The third verse is a bit jarring for a prayer service, “All that kills abundant living, / let it from the earth be banned: / pride of status, race, or schooling, / dogmas that obscure your plan.” … but acceptable. The tune, however! “Westminster Abbey” is unfamiliar to most attendees, meaning they won’t sing. It seems we’re starting off on the wrong foot.
I vastly prefer “Healing” sung to “CWM Rhondda” (“Guide Me, Thou O Great Redeemer”). Wait, let’s simplify here by changing the entire processional hymn to “Guide Me, Thou…” Far more familiar, better melody, can be sung with gusto. “Bread of heaven, bread of heaven / Feed me till I want no more.” Massive upgrade.
Star-Spangled Banner? Nope. It’s NOT a ballgame. Let’s do “God Bless America” instead, already performed as part of the Carillon Prelude. Significant improvement. “God of Our Fathers,” while not an inspired choice, is okay. Might skip verse three: “From war's alarms, from deadly pestilence, / be thy strong arm, our ever-sure defense.” Feels like it may be too soon.
“America the Beautiful” – terrific choice. The “pilgrims’ feet” verse was nixed, perhaps due to the reference to “self-control,” a trait not currently in vogue. “Great is Thy Faithfulness” – another inspired selection, among my favorites. “Morning by morning new mercies I see.”
So, there you have it. Mission accomplished. My retroactive input dramatically upgraded this service, while ensuring the bishop’s right to bring compassion into our national dialogue – in perpetuity. Oops, I almost forgot: one choir anthem was Leo Sowerby’s “Jubilate” (“Be joyful in the Lord, all you lands…”). The connection? Much of Sowerby’s career was spent in Chicago, where he once served as President of the Cliff Dwellers Club, an organization founded by… Hamlin Garland. (Alas, not noted in the program, harrumph.)
Ah, if only someone had sought my input. Perhaps in four years, when there’s a comparable service…
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I’m pleased to be part of the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative. These are my colleagues:
Thank you for noting the enormous power of the hymns we choose and sing.