faithful stewards of the earth

This is part of a hymn that we sang at church the other day. The words are contemporary, but we used a traditional tune. Because it was typed out on a sheet of paper I have no idea when it was written, or by whom. I liked these verses:

O God of hope, your prophets spoke
of days when war would cease;
when, taught to see each person's worth,
and faithful stewards of the earth,
we all would live in peace.


We pray that our divided world
may hear their words anew;
then lift for good the curse of war,
let bread with justice bless the poor,
and turn in hope to you.


Earth's fragile web of life demands
our reverence and our care,
lest in our folly, sloth and greed,
deaf both to you and others' need,
we lay our planet bare.


Earth's rich resources give us power
to build or to destroy;
your Spirit urges us to turn
from selfish, fearbound ways, and learn
his selfless trust and joy.