In Haiti, There Is Anguish

In Haiti

there is ang­uish

That seems too much to bear;

A land so used to sor­row

Now knows ev­en more des­pair.

From ci­ty streets

the cries of grief

Rise up to hills above;

In all the sor­row

pain and death

Where are you

God of love?

A wo­man sifts through rub­ble

A man has lost his home

A hun­gry

or­phaned tod­dler sobs

For she is now alone.

Where are you

Lord

when thou­sands die—

The rich

the poor­est poor?

Were you the ve­ry first to cry

For all that is no more?

O God

you love your child­ren;

You hear each lift­ed pray­er!

May all who suf­fer in that land

Know you are pre­sent there.

In mo­ments of com­pass­ion shown

In sim­ple acts of grace

May those in pain find heal­ing balm

And know your love’s em­brace.

Where are you in the ang­uish?

Lord

may we hear anew

That any­where your world cries out

You’re there—and suf­fer­ing

too.

And may we see

in oth­ers’ pain

The cross we’re called to bear;

Send out your church in Je­sus’ name

To pray

to serve

to share.