[ o lord the clouds are gathering ]

[ story behind the song ]

Graham attended a leaders' conference where the tension between God's judgement and God's mercy dominated many conversations. Street violence was just one of the subjects discussed as people thought about the direction society was taken. Graham determined to try and write about these stark realities. His poetic gift was at its most powerful when he described the plight of starving children with the words 'the tools of war increased, their bread is stolen'

Graham's desire to reflect the whole counsel of God surfaces once again:

'There's a need to be triumphant and celebratory but we must balance this by considering the whole of life. There's a whole book in the Bible called Lamentations. The biblical prophets spent much of their time grieving over the sinfulness of their nation.'

[ lyrics ]

O Lord, the clouds are gathering
The fire of judgement burns
How we have fallen!
O Lord, you stand appalled to see
Your laws of love so scorned
And lives so broken

Have mercy, Lord, (Men)
Have mercy, Lord, (Women)
Forgive us, Lord, (Men)
Forgive us, Lord (Women)
Restore us, Lord (All)
Revive your church again
Let justice flow (Men)
Let justice flow (Women)
Like rivers (Men)
Like rivers (Women)
And righteousness like a never failing stream (All)

O Lord, over the nations now
Where is the dove of peace?
Her wings are broken
O Lord, while precious children starve
The tools of war increaseTheir bread is stolen

O Lord, dark powers are poised to flood
Our streets with hate and fear
We must awaken!
O Lord, let love reclaim the lives
That sin would sweep away
And let your kingdom come

Yet, O Lord, your glorious cross shall tower
Triumphant in this land
Evil confounding
Through the fire your suffering church display
The glories of her Christ
Praises resounding!