Magnificent Prayer #343
Magnificent Prayer #343
Kenaniah the head Levite was in charge of the singing; that was his responsibility because he was skillful at it.
1 Chronicles 15:22
I would sit alone, as I have done on many a day and night, praying God to give me the thoughts and the feelings wherewith to compose my hymn…It may seem a little old-fashioned, always to begin one’s work with prayer: but I never undertake a hymn without first asking the good Lord to be my inspiration in the work that I am about to do…
Often I take in my mind some tune already known…this, however, does not imply that the tune will ultimately be chosen as the companion of the works: for it has probably already its own true and lawful mate, with which it is to be happy and useful. Sometimes a tune is furnished me for which to write the words. “Blessed Assurance” was made in this manner…
After a particular hymn is done, I let it lie for a few days in the writing-desk of my mind, so to speak, until I have leisure to prune it, to read it through with the eyes of my memory, and in other ways mould it into as presentable shape as possible. I often cut, trim, and change it…
I have no trouble in sorting and arranging my literary and lyric wares within the apartments of my mind. If I were given a little while in which to do it, I could take down from its shelves, hundreds if not thousands of hymns, that I have written during the sixty years in which I have been praising my Redeemer through this medium of song.
FANNY CROSBY
Pray About It: Fanny Crosby was one of the great hymn writers of the church. When only six weeks old she was blinded through her doctor’s error. Never bitter with her lot, Fanny committed her life and her creativity to Christ. Through prayer, God spoke to her the words that are still being sung a century after her death. Today, as you read the following words of Fanny Crosby, listen to God’s faithfulness to her personally between the lines.
He hears our prayers just as He heard hers. Turn your abilities over to God and He will create through you. He doeth all things well.
All the way my Savior leads me;
What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His faithful mercies
Who through life has been my guide?
Heavenly peace, divinest comfort,
Ere by faith in Him to dwell;
For I know whatever fall me,
Jesus doeth all things well.
From the book
