Precious Lord, Take My Hand, ELW 773
Devotion
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The hymn "Precious Lord Take My Hand" is often sung at funerals. It assists us in the process of letting a loved one go. It brings comfort to know that the One who gave them life will receive them back again.
It was a surprise for me to learn that the hymn was written by Thomas A. Dorsey. His wife died when she gave birth to a baby boy. The baby boy died that evening. It was in the depth of his grieving that he sat down at the piano. He later said, "I sat down at the piano, and my hands began to browse over the keys. Something happened to me then. I felt at peace. I felt I could reach out and touch God. I found myself playing a melody. Once in my head they (the words) just seemed to fall into place." Those words that brought peace to him have been giving peace to others as they grieve the loss of their loved ones and give them to the loving hands of God.
Prayer
Precious Lord, take our hands and lead us into this new day. Help us recognize your presence in both the joys and the sorrows of life. Amen.