Let There Be Light

Let there be light, O God of hosts!
Let there be wisdom on the earth!
Let broad humanity have birth!
Let there be deeds instead of boasts.

Within our passioned hearts instill
the calm that endeth strain and strife.
Make us your ministers of life.
Drive out the urge to curse and kill.

Give us the peace of vision clear
to see each other’s good, our own,
to joy and suffer not alone:
the love that casts aside all fear.

Let woe and waste of warfare cease,
that useful labor yet may build
its homes with love and laughter filled!
God, give your wayward children peace!