Dad, won’t you forgive these guys – New Song

Earlier this week I had a conversation with my five year old son, Sam about the significance of Holy Week. I have been fascinated by Jesus’ statement, ‘Father forgive them, they don’t know what they’re doing’ (Luke 23:34). If Jesus reveals to us who God is (Col 1:19, John 14:7) then this offer of grace to those who aren’t even looking for it is mind boggling.

I wanted to help this truth make its home in my son’s world. So I wrote this little song called, ‘Dad, won’t you forgive these guys.’ In the face of such brutality and mindlessness, to find Jesus still offering forgiveness, still praying for his enemies, still seeking the best for those who do the worst to him – I find I am moved to awe and silence.

We’re sharing it at our church tomorrow. I wrote the refrain, (the ‘a lot more…. a lot less’ bits) with the idea that they could be written and rewritten collectively by the church to become a way of praying together. What do we want to see more of and less of, and how is Jesus bringing that in his death and resurrection?

Here are the lyrics:

Dad, won’t you forgive these guys
‘Cos they don’t know what to do
I’m not angry ‘cos they’re mean to me
Just really want them to know you

V1. And a lot more hugging and loving
And lot less taking and breaking

Dad, won’t you forgive these guys
‘Cos they haven’t got a clue

V2. And a lot more listening and giving
A lot less striving and lying

V3. And a lot more hoping and healing
A lot less hurting and scheming

Dad, won’t you forgive these guys
‘Cos they haven’t got a clue
Dad, won’t you forgive these guys
‘Cos they don’t know what to do
Dad, won’t you forgive these guys
What they really need is you.