Notes

Christ, Protector Of The Children: From Additional Hymns. Written for a memorial service held at St Peter's Cathedral, Hamilton, on Sept 15, 1996, for the children who had died in New Zealand over the preceding year as a result of abuse.

Suggested tune: Stuttgart, C F Witt (A&MR 76)

Please press the red title to hear a MIDI recording of this tune, and then re-open this window to read the poem while listening.

If you would prefer to follow the tune and text on paper you may download a PDF file of this hymn.

For permission to perform or reproduce this poem, or for enquiries regarding the purchase of 'Hymns For All Seasons', please contact Jocelyn. For permission to reproduce the music contact Mrs Peg de Winton, pegdew@actrix.co.nz.

 

Christ, Protector Of The Children

Lord, we pray you, save all children
    from abuse, disease, despair.
May they grow by love surrounded,
    held within your boundless care.

        Give to parents wisdom, patience,
    courage in their testing role;
guide those offering help and counsel,
    making broken families whole.

Christ, you suffered with the suffering,
    felt their sorrow, healed their pain;
your compassion is our model;
    bless our work, our strength sustain.

       May we, in our various callings,
    be alert to children's need,
open doors of hope and safety,
    seek the lost, the hungry feed.

Bring back smiles to frightened faces;
    give to fragile bodies health;
may the joy of happy children
    be of greater gain than wealth.

       Christ, protector of the children,
    liberator, teacher, friend,
keep us watchful, wise, supportive –
    children's lives on us depend.




Copyright © Jocelyn Marshall