PSALM OF COURAGE

PSALM OF COURAGE

After a long battle against cancer, sustained by his faith and irrepressible good humour, John Hammersley died on November 1st 2004 in the Marie Curie Hospice in Bradford, UK. At John's suggestion, his "Psalm of Courage" was read at his funeral.

In the face of troubles, it is courage we need and the assurance of God's presence. Someone sent me a card with a little poem on it. It made me think of things in the Bible about taking courage - Daniel 10, Isaiah 41, Joshua 1.

1. Do not be frightened or worried:

for I am your God and I'm always beside you.

2. Be determined and confident:

since you are mine I will always support you.

3. I am the God of love who moves on gently:

leading you, drawing you into all that is new and lovely.

4. All you need is available now:

let me carry you and bear you along in safety.

5. I am the Lord of love who comes to you in quietness:

there's no need for struggle or panic,

6. for I died for you in the cruelty of torture:

how can I let you suffer alone?

7. I am the Spirit of love to direct you tenderly:

I hold your hand and I will not hurry you.

8. We will go on together into tomorrow:

for I am with you and I won't let you go.

9. Be not afraid for I am with you:

I shall never abandon you wherever you may fall.

10. Only be strong and very courageous:

for you are mine and I will always love you.

John wrote a total of 150 psalms, and had been working to compile them all into a new edition of the Psalms of Life website. This work will be completed shortly and we will send an email announcement when the website is updated.