A song I never tire of hearing. A song I never tire of singing. It was just a few Sunday nights ago, I seem to recall, Karen, our church organist playing it prior to the service. I love to sit there in the moments prior to the start of service and hear the songs she has selected to prepare us for worship. I suspect she had no idea someone is sitting there intently listening to her play, especially this song.
There have been many songs of prayer and worship written over the years, but in my opinion there are none that capture the essence of what I believe God wants our relationship to be with Him like "I Need Thee Ev'ry Hour". I Know so often, I am guilty of just singing a song and enjoying it without paying close attention to the actually words and their meaning to our lives. But it is difficult to sing this song in the quiet of our homes, offices, or cars, without being prayerful and in complete fellowship with our creator. And when we sing it as a congregation, the power of our joint collective prayer of our need for God in our lives, is exactly what I believe God wants to hear from us.
One of the joys I have had in writing the morning blog, is that it has caused me to do some research a lot of days on the particular song. A lot of the "newer songs" written by someone like Bill Gaither or Dottie Rambo, I sometimes remember when they were written and sometimes can even recall hearing the story behind the song. But the old hymns are a different story. In most cases, I have just opened the hymnal and sung along with you. This morning, "I Need Thee Ev'ry Hour" peaked my interest and made me want to know more.
If I named the songs, "Shall We Gather At The River", "Christ Arose!", "Nothing But The Blood Of Jesus", I suspect you would all not only recognize them but could sing them. Often with the "morning songs" I have not heard them in years. But the songs I just named, along with "I Need Thee Ev'ry Hour" are and have been sung often. And these all definitely qualify as older hymns. These songs are 4 of the best known hymns written by Rev. Robert Lowry (March 12, 1826 - November 25, 1899). It has been said that he proclaimed often that his main job was preaching and song writing was merely secondary. And while I'm suspect he was an extraordinary preacher his hymns has stood the test of time as so many other great songs. As we still sing them today, I can only imagine our children and grandchildren will sing them into the future.
There's a special (and fun) story behind the writing of "Shall We Gather At The River" but I'll save that for another time.
As I viewed and listened to the possibilities of links to post, it was enjoyable to listen to so many who have recorded, "I Need Thee Ev'ry Hour" but it also made the choice difficult. It has been recorded by so many. Southern Gospel Singers, Contemporary Artists, Country Singers, Pop Artists and featured often just as an instrumental.
Now this will be a first with me, but I'm going to post a link by Fernando Ortega. Fernando Ortega is a singer-songwriter in contemporary Christian music. He is noted both for his interpretations of many traditional hymns and songs, I probably should be embarrassed but I don't know about him but I enjoyed his version of "I Need Thee Ev'ry Hour" so I'll post it.
I also will post another link that I enjoy. This is of Randy Owens (Alabama) singing with the Isaacs at a Gaither concert. I heard it several years ago and enjoyed hearing it again.
I'm looking forward to today. After my workout this morning, I plan to come home and rest for a while and then tonight, I will join about 1300 others from the Gadsden area for a men's conference, featuring Tony Evans. I expect it will be a great night of worship. I hope you have a great Friday!
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