“I NEED THE PRAYERS OF THOSE I LOVE”
“…And pray for one another….The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (Jas. 5:16)

     INTRO.: A hymn which reminds us that we should pray for one another because the effectual fervent prayers of the righteous avail much is “I Need the Prayers of Those I Love.” The text was written and the tune was composed both by James David Vaughan (1864-1941). Older books say that the song was copyrighted by Vaughan in 1908. Newer books say that the copyright was renewed in 1936. The newest books say, “Copyright 1936…Renewed 1964.” Vaughan also composed tunes for “God Holds the Future in His Hands” and “He’s My King,” both with words by James Rowe.

     Among hymnbooks published by members of the Lord’s church during the twentieth century for use in churches of Christ, “I Need the Prayers of Those I Love” appeared in the 1965 Christian Hymnsongs and the 1973 Great Inspirational Songs both edited by Albert E. Brumley. Today it may be found in the 1977 Special Sacred Selections edited by Ellis J. Crum; and the 1978/1983 Church Gospel Songs and Hymns edited by V. E. Howard; in addition to the 2007 Sacred Songs of the Church edited by William D. Jeffcoat.

     The song is obviously designed to encourage Christians to pray for one another.

I. Stanza 1 tells us that we need prayers in travelling over life’s rugged way
“I need the prayers of those I love,
While traveling o’er life’s rugged way,
That I may true and faithful be,
And live for Jesus every day.”
 A. Travelling over life’s rugged way is compared to running a race: Heb. 12:1-2
 B. In running this race, God wants us to be true and faithful to Him: Rev. 2:10
 C. To do this, we can ask others to pray for us that we might live for Jesus every day by faith: Rom. 1:17

II. Stanza 2 tells us that we need prayers in times of trial and temptation
“I need the prayers of those I love
To help me in each trying hour,
To bear my tempted soul to Him,
That He may keep me by His power.”
 A. As we travel over life’s rugged way we shall often find ourselves being tried: Jas. 1:12
 B. We can ask others to pray that God will not allow us to be tempted above what we are able: 1 Cor. 10:13
 C. In this way, He will keep us by His power: 1 Pet. 1:5

III. Stanza 3 tells us that we need prayers in walking by faith in the narrow way
“I want my friends to pray for me
To hold me up on wings of faith,
That I may walk the narrow way,
Kept by our Father’s glorious grace.”
 A. We can ask others to hold us up in prayer as Aaron and Hur held up the hands of Moses: Exo. 17:11-12
 B. This will help us to walk the narrow way: Matt. 7:13-14
 C. As we walk the narrow way, God’s grace will be sufficient for us: 2 Cor. 12:9

      CONCL.: The chorus then states that we want our friends to pray for us.
“I want my friends to pray for me,
To bear my tempted soul above,
And intercede with God for me;
I need the prayers of those I love.”
Most of the hymns I have seen by James D. Vaughan have been words by others that he set to music. This is the only one, at least well known, of which I am aware where he also provided the text. It helps me to understand that “I Need the Prayers of Those I Love.”

Comments

Posted by Anonymous