God of Love and God of Power

“God of Love and God of Power” was written in 1947 by Gerald H. Kennedy, a bishop of the Methodist Church in the United States. The hymn was composed in the aftermath of World War II, a period marked by global instability, moral reflection, and a renewed desire for peace grounded in justice and spiritual renewal.

The opening line draws directly from 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” Kennedy brings together two essential attributes of God, love and power, emphasizing that divine power is never separated from divine love. This balance is central to biblical theology. Psalm 85:10 declares, “Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.” The hymn reflects this unity.

The text is structured as a prayer for the church. It asks God to cleanse pride, dispel fear, and strengthen believers for faithful witness. Rather than seeking dominance or worldly strength, the hymn calls for spiritual renewal and moral courage. Micah 6:8 provides a parallel theme: “What doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”

Kennedy’s language is direct and petitionary. The hymn acknowledges human weakness and the tendency toward self-reliance. It asks God to “make us worthy of our calling,” reflecting Ephesians 3:16-19, where Paul prays that believers may be strengthened with might by God’s Spirit and rooted in love.

The hymn has been widely included in Protestant hymnals, particularly within Methodist and other mainline traditions. It is commonly sung at services that emphasize mission, social responsibility, or spiritual renewal.

“God of Love and God of Power” presents a theology in which divine love energizes righteous action, and divine power equips believers to live faithfully. It stands as a mid twentieth century expression of prayer for courage, humility, and obedient service in a troubled world.