1 Each day we live the Christian life
we're sorely tried — without, within;
but God the Spirit gives us strength
to wage a constant war with sin.
2 It's in our weakness that we find
He gives the help we greatly need
to honour Christ in all our ways,
as from the power of sin we're freed.
3 When deep within our swelling hearts
the thoughts of pride and envy rise,
when bitter words are on our tongues
and tears of passion in our eyes,
4 He helps us keep our self-control;
sends grace to check the hasty word;
give gentle answers back again
and fight a battle for our Lord.
5 So far as it depends on us,
we'll live in peace as Christians should;
we'll not be overcome by wrong,
but overcome all wrong with good.
6 All His disciples on this earth
have their own painful cross to take
but, in the Holy Spirit's power,
we'll live our lives for Jesus' sake.
Source: The Irish Presbyterian Hymbook #462
As a small girl, Cecil Frances Humphries (b. Redcross, County Wicklow, Ireland, 1818; Londonderry, Ireland, 1895) wrote poetry in her school's journal. In 1850 she married Rev. William Alexander, who later became the Anglican primate (chief bishop) of Ireland. She showed her concern for disadvantaged people by traveling many miles each day to visit the sick and the poor, providing food, warm clothes, and medical supplies. She and her sister also founded a school for the deaf. Alexander was strongly influenced by the Oxford Movement and by John Keble's Christian Year. Her first book of poetry, Verses for Seasons, was a "Christian Year" for children. She wrote hymns based on the Apostles' Creed, baptism, the Lord's Supper, the Ten Commandment… Go to person page >
My Starred Hymns
My FlexScores
My Hymnals
My Purchased Files