Healing Hymns

May 12

Among the great, and best-known hymns is one of Charles Wesley’s many works. It is a praise hymn that underscores the healing nature of Jesus noted in the Gospels and is active still in the present age. We recognize God’s healing ways in the stories of the Bible, but also in our life of faith now. Examining the first and last stanzas below, we see the theme of praise due to God. The middle stanza featured here is verse five in the Episcopal hymn book, Hymnal 1982. It recalls several stories of the healing work of Jesus. It also serves as a call to us all who are in need today. We are vulnerable to experiencing both literal and figurative deafness, and voicelessness; we can be blind or lame and in need of healing from the Savior:

O for a thousand tongues to sing
my great Redeemer's praise,
the glories of my God and King,
the triumphs of his grace!

Hear him, ye deaf; ye voiceless ones,
your loosened tongues employ;
ye blind, behold, your Savior comes;
and leap, ye lame, for joy!

Glory to God and praise and love
be now and ever given
by saints below and saints above,
the Church in earth and heaven.

—Charles Wesley, (1707-1788), Hymn 493, verses 1, 5, and 6

The next hymn is largely unknown to most Christians. I point to it because it acknowledges that our own practices of science, skill, and human emotions all come from God. We are part of God’s healing, so in this prayer, we ask God to impart what is needed to do that loving work. In the second stanza there is implied that the earth itself needs healing, and needs our attention of care:

From thee all skill and science flow, all pity, care, and love,
all calm and courage, faith and hope: O pour them from above!
Impart them, Lord, to each and all, as each and all shall need,
to rise, like incense, each to thee, in noble thought and deed.

And hasten, Lord, that perfect day when pain and death shall cease,
and thy just rule shall fill the earth with health and light and peace;
when ever-blue the sky shall gleam, and ever-green the sod,
and our rude work deface no more the handiwork of God.

—Charles Kingsley (1819-1875) Hymn 566

As Christians, we are part of Christ’s ongoing work of healing in the world. We must keep fresh the miracles Jesus worked among people around Galilee, Samaria, and Judea. We must also keep fresh our desires and prayers to see people restored, strengthened, and healed today. Pray and expect a miracle: The Holy Spirit is at work in our midst.

Rev. David Price

Fr. Price joined St. Francis as Assistant Rector in September 2016. He says, “I am eager to be part of St. Francis’ efforts to work, pray, and give.” Fr. Price just completed a 10 year pastorate as Rector of Grace Church, Alvin and celebrated his 32nd anniversary of ordained ministry. Originally from Tucson, Arizona, a graduate of the University of Arizona, he completed his theological training at the Seminary of the Southwest in Austin in 1984. He served on parish staffs in Midland, Lubbock, and Palestine, before becoming Rector of St. Mark's Episcopal Church and School, Houston in 1994.

Fr. Price loves the variety of parish ministry: learning, worshiping, serving, and discovering things in small group fellowship. He recognizes the strength and health of St. Francis Church. He is convinced that in parish work, “God draws people in, builds them up and sends them out to be ambassadors of reconciliation in the world”. He has been married to Jennifer for 35 years. Jennifer, a cardiac nurse, works at CHI St. Luke's Health in the Medical Center. They are proud parents of three adult children: daughters, Emily Hatzel and Hannah Loyd, and son, Andrew Price. They are excited that they recently became grandparents. Fr. Price and Jennifer are both interested in improving their personal health through nutrition and physical activity. He has finished several marathons, half-marathons and triathlons in the last few years.

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