A Hymn for Nonviolent Protests

O God, As Troubles Here Increase

KINGSFOLD ("Today We All Are Called to Be Disciples")

O God, as troubles here increase,
we wonder what to do:
Can people who are seeking peace
still change the world for you?
They say if 3.5 percent
protest nonviolently,
then swords of hatred can be bent,
and people can be free.

It only takes a little salt
to change a loaf of bread,
An act of peace can help to halt
what violence seeks to spread.
It only takes a mighty few
who dare to take a stand 
to bring in justice, love, and truth—
to help a hurting land.

It only takes a few to see
and speak with prophet voice,
to challenge our complacency,
to seek the better choice.
O God, when troubles come, we pray:
“Please, won’t you send those few?”
And then we hear the word you say:
“My church, I’m sending you.”

Biblical Reference: Matthew 5:9,13
Tune: English Country Songs, 1893; English Hymnal, 1906
Text: Copyright © 2025 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved.

Permission is given for free use of this hymn in churches, including in online, streaming worship services. Please share it with other pastors and musicians for their possible use.

Author's Note: "3.5 percent protest nonviolently" is a reference to a study reported by the BBC: 

There are, of course, many ethical reasons to use nonviolent strategies. But compelling research by Erica Chenoweth, a political scientist at Harvard University, confirms that civil disobedience is not only the moral choice; it is also the most powerful way of shaping world politics – by a long way. Looking at hundreds of campaigns over the last century, Chenoweth found that nonviolent campaigns are twice as likely to achieve their goals as violent campaigns. And although the exact dynamics will depend on many factors, she has shown it takes around 3.5% of the population actively participating in the protests to ensure serious political change.

We hope this hymn will encourage people to work for peace and justice. The new hymn is in the tradition of "Once to Every Soul [Man] and Nation." The original poem was written by James Russell Lowell in 1896 to protest the Mexican War, which would have enlarged the area of the slaveholding states.

"It takes around 3.5% of the population actively participating in the protests to ensure serious political change."