What we need

This hymn - which is deeply personal, came from the mind and heart of Annie S Hawks (1835-1918) who was a busy housewife and mother who wrote over 400 hymns during her 83 years - this one being the only one churches still sing today.

Annie wrote later "One day as a young wife and mother of 37 years of age, I was busy with my regular household tasks. Suddenly I became soiled with the sense of nearness to the Master that, wondering how one could live without Him, either in joy or pain, these words "I Need Thee Every Hour' were ushered into my mind, the thought at once taking full possession of me."

When Annie's husband died sixteen years later, she found that this hymn was amongst her greatest comforts. "I did not understand at first why this hymn had touched the great throbbing heart of humanity," Annie wrote. "It was not until long after, when the shadow fell over my way, the shadow of a great loss, that I understood something of the comforting power in the words I had been permitted to give out to others in my hour of sweet serenity and peace."

How beautiful is this version?

1. I need thee ev’ry hour,

Most gracious Lord.

No tender voice like thine

Can peace afford.

I need thee, oh, I need thee;

Ev’ry hour I need thee!

Oh, bless me now, my Savior;

I come to thee!

2. I need thee ev’ry hour;

Stay thou nearby.

Temptations lose their pow’r

When thou art nigh.

I need thee, oh, I need thee;

Ev’ry hour I need thee!

Oh, bless me now, my Savior;

I come to thee!

3. I need thee ev’ry hour,

In joy or pain.

Come quickly and abide,

Or life is vain.

I need thee, oh, I need thee;

Ev’ry hour I need thee!

Oh, bless me now, my Savior;

I come to thee!

4. I need thee ev’ry hour,

Most holy One.

Oh, make me thine indeed,

Thou blessed Son!

I need thee, oh, I need thee;

Ev’ry hour I need thee!

Oh, bless me now, my Savior;

I come to thee!

It made me think of a song on a soundtrack I listened to during the week. When listening, I thought - no, why did she even record this song, such silly little words, however imagine my surprise to be singing those little words for the next few days - Standing in the need of prayer by Carolyn Arends.

Hope you've enjoyed this - I had fun posting it.

Happy rest of the weekend.

Last Sunday Inspiration - The Lord and His Prayer