Ephesians 5:19 encourages us to speak to one another with songs, psalms and spiritual songs, making music to the Lord in your hearts. In fulfillment of this verse, the Rev. Carolyn Winfrey Gillette and her husband Bruce wrote “In Haiti There is Anguish” to be sung to the hymn “Beneathe the Cross of Jesus”. It is their hope that this hymn will help churches respond to the tragedy in Haiti following last week’s earthquake. But let us not reserve the use of this hymn just to our time in church but to our daily lives as we look forward, with hope, to the inevitable restoration, healing and renewal of Haiti and its people.

In Haiti, There is Anguish

ST. CHRISTOPHER 7.6.8.6.8.6.8.6

(” Beneath the Cross of Jesus “)

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.

Text: Copyright © 2010 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved.
Churches affiliated with the National Council of Churches USA have permission to use the hymn.