I NEED THEE EVERY HOUR

How was your week? Was it filled with the normal challenges of life with a few new ones thrown in for good measure? We all have weeks like that when our strength just isn't enough to get us through. It's then that we realize how much we need the Lord – every day, every hour, every minute. And somehow I think that the older we get the more dependent we become on His strength, wisdom and presence. (At least I do!) As I thought about this throughout the week I was drawn to this week's hymn choice. I remember singing it so often while I was growing up. Actually, the author of this hymn, Annie S. Hawkes, shared some of the details behind her writing of this in 1872. "I remember well the morning . . . when in the midst of the daily cares of my home . . . I was so filled with the sense of nearness to the Master that, wondering how one could live without Him either in joy or pain, into my mind, the thought at once taking full possession of me . . . For myself the hymn was prophetic rather than expressive of my own experience at the time it was written, and I do not understand why it so touched the great throbbing heart of humanity." She gave the simple poem to her pastor Dr. Robert Lowry. As he read and re-read it he realized that Anne had produced her finest work of poetry. He sat at his organ and composed the tune and then added a chorus to complete the work. Sixteen years later, Mrs. Hawks experienced the death of her husband. Years after, she 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 which I had been permitted to give out to others in my hour of sweet serenity and peace." Maybe this week this hymn will also be a comfort to you as you recognize your need of the Lord in your daily life and you experience his presence, every hour, as you face the daily challenges of life.

(1) I need thee every hour, most gracious Lord;

no tender voice like thine can peace afford.

I need thee, O I need thee;

every hour I need thee;

O bless me now, my Savior, I come to thee.

(2) I need thee every hour; stay thou nearby;

temptations lose their power when thou art nigh.

I need thee, O I need thee;

every hour I need thee;

O bless me now, my Savior, I come to thee.

(3) I need thee every hour, in joy or pain;

come quickly and abide, or life is vain.

I need thee, O I need thee;

every hour I need thee;

O bless me now, my Savior, I come to thee.

(4) I need thee every hour; teach me thy will;

and thy rich promises in me fulfill.

I need thee, O I need thee;

every hour I need thee;

O bless me now, my Savior, I come to thee.

(5) I need thee every hour, most Holy One;

O make me thine indeed, thou blessed Son.

I need thee, O I need thee;

every hour I need thee;

O bless me now, my Savior, I come to thee.

Listen to it here. LISTEN