Lord While for Humankind We Pray
Lord, while for humankind we pray
The hymn reflects Lutheran emphasis on prayer for civil authorities and the divine ordering of government as affirmed in Romans 13 and the Augsburg Confession. It demonstrates the Lutheran balance between spiritual concerns and responsible Christian engagement in civil society.
History & Background
William Bright composed this hymn in 1875 for use in prayers for national and civic concerns. It appeared in his collection and has been included in various Lutheran hymnals since its composition.
Hymnal Appearances
- Lutheran Worship — 502
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 578
Bulletin Note
Written by William Bright in 1875, this hymn expresses the classical Lutheran teaching on the divine ordering of civil government and the Christian's calling to pray for those in authority as an exercise of love for neighbor.
Preaching Connection
This hymn embodies the Law's command to honor governing authorities (Romans 13) while the Gospel motivates us to intercede for all people—transforming obligation into grace-filled participation in God's redemptive work for the world.
Themes
Prayer for government Christian citizenship Divine providence Social justice Intercession