O God, You Gave Your Servant John

1 O Lord, you gave your servant John
a vision of the world to come:
a radiant city filled with light,
where you with us will make your home;
where neither grief nor pain shall dwell,
since former things have passed away,
and where they need no sun nor moon;
your glory lights eternal day.

2 Our cities wear great shrouds of pain;
beneath our gleaming towers of wealth
the homeless crouch in rain and snow,
the poor cry out for strength and health.
Youth’s hope is dimmed by ignorance;
unwilling, workers idled stand;
indifference walks unheeding by
as hunger stretches out its hand.

3 Come, Lord, make real John’s vision fair;
come, dwell with us, make all things new;
we try in vain to save our world
unless our help shall come from you.
Come, strengthen us to live in love;
bid hatred, greed, injustice cease.
Your glory all the light we need,
let all our cities shine forth peace.