“ALWAYS BY OUR SIDE” 7/30/08
by SteveI was reviewing new music for the choir this morning, almost always an enjoyable task. I found one anthem that really blew me away. It is a modern setting to a very old text written by Love Maria Willis sometime in the late 1800s. I was struck by the powerful words, which are marvelously wed to the music arranged by Mary McDonald. I want to share the text with you, in hopes that you will find it as moving as I do:
Father, hear the prayer we offer: not for ease our prayer shall be, but for strength that we may ever live our lives courageously.
Be our strength in times of weakness, in our wanderings be our guide; through each danger and endeavor, be always by our side.
Not forever in green pastures do we ask our way to be, but the steep and rugged pathway, may we walk rejoicingly.
Not forever by still waters would we idly rest and stay, but would draw the living fountains from the rocks along our way.
Be our strength in times of weakness, in our wanderings be our guide; through each danger and endeavor, be always by our side.
Don’t you just love the line about drawing “living fountains from the rocks along our way”? What a powerful image of God’s grace in the midst of daily trials and tribulations. And I love the fact that here is a prayer that doesn’t ask for smooth sailing all the time…just that the Captain guide us through the storm.
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Hello-do you know if the Mormon Tabernacle has done this as well?
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