Pipelines and Other Blessings

We gather together to ask our God's blessing
And try to remember the things not to say--
The family secrets, the crises, disagreements--
We promised not to raise them,
Hope no one else does.

We gather together to ask our God's blessing.
She hastens and chastens her will to make known.
The wicked are winning
But hey, it's just beginning.
Our God is on our side;
She forgets not her own.

Beside to guide us, our God with us joining,
Ordaining, maintaining our pipeline divine;
So what if we freeze spray
A few lousy injuns
Been doing it forever,
O God, make us free!

Report on violence to protesters against North Dakota pipeline:
http://www.cnn.com/2016/11/23/us/north-dakota-pipeline-conflict/index.html

"We Gather Together":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mo7YlcYHPTM

1. We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing;
   He chastens and hastens His will to make known;
   The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing;
   Sing praises to His Name; He forgets not His own.
2. Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining,
   Ordaining, maintaining His kingdom divine;
   So from the beginning the fight we were winning;
   Thou, Lord, were at our side, all glory be Thine!
3. We all do extol Thee, Thou Leader triumphant,
   And pray that Thou still our Defender will be;
   Let Thy congregation escape tribulation;
   Thy Name be ever praised! O Lord, make us free!