“I Want Jesus to Walk with Me,” ELW 325 and TFBF 66
1 I want Jesus to walk with me;
I want Jesus to walk with me;
all along my pilgrim journey,
Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me.
2 In my trials, Lord, walk with me;
in my trials, Lord, walk with me;
when my heart is almost breakinig,
Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me.
3 When I’m in trouble, Lord, walk with me;
when I’m in trouble, Lord, walk with me;
when my head is bowed in sorrow,
Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me.
Devotion
This week we reflected on themes of God’s saving grace, the promise of the Holy Spirit and our calling to be witnesses in the midst of turbulence. Yesterday we looked at the hymn by Katherine Hankey. By singing this hymn we affirm that we also want to tell the old, old story.
We know from what happened to Christ and the disciples that the way of the cross is not a piece of cake. Sometimes the road is bumpy and long; sometimes our energy fails. Like Peter, we may fall. Our hearts may be darkened and unable to sense God’s presence.
In all these, our ability to tell the story is based on how much we hold onto Jesus. Here then is another hymn, a gift from the African-American spirituals: “I want Jesus to walk with me.” Even when “the shades of life are falling,” yes, I want Jesus to walk with me.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, please walk with me along my pilgrim’s journey. Walk with me as I tell your story, even when trials and sorrows multiply. Yes, even when my life becomes a burden, Lord, I want you to walk with me. Amen.