I wrote the text and tune of "God Before Us" as one of my very first hymns many years ago. I had been chaplain that week at Music and Arts Week at Sumatanga and I believe I had been reflecting on the prayer of St. Patrick's Breastplate.I am honored that "God Before Us" was published on the General Board of Discipleship Worship Website recently. You can find the musical arrangement on the General Board of Discipleship Website. Here is the text:
God, before us as we seek,
yours the path, our guiding.
Word our lamp and light of day,
show your will abiding.
God, behind us as we walk,
make our way unswerving.
Hands and lips in concert sing,
into freedom serving.
God, below us as we fall,
weakened knee our binding.
Race ahead, we take our cross,
strength in weakness finding.
God, above us as we reach,
yours the earth, our grounding.
With creation lift our praise,
guide our understanding.
Copyright 1994 Stephen P. West. All rights reserved.
Pictured: Bluff at Monte Sano Mountain in Huntsville, Alabama.
