Fanny Crosby has always been my favorite writer of Hymns. She wrote all 8000 hymns in the 1800’s and we sing them still today.She often said she never wrote a hymn without kneeling in prayer. We have all been under pressure to finish our project by a certain day or hour. This happened to Fanny Crosby as well.
One day she was asked to write lyrics for W.H. Doane, who was a composer in the 1800’s. He needed these right away. She sat down to write and found it impossible.Finally she remembered she hadn’t prayed before she started writing. She got down on her knees and prayed even though she knew Mr. Doane needed the lyrics right away. the words came as she was praying: “Jesus, keep me near the cross”. We still sing that hymn.
We must always be expectant when we pray. Fanny Crosby found that out when one day she needed five dollars badly. She hunted around her house a long time. Then she thought, “Why don’t I pray the same way I pray for lyrics?” She got down on her knees telling Jesus how little she was and how much she needed him. Later, a man came to her door. He handed her a five dollar bill telling her he was reminded this morning that he borrowed the money at a concert they were both attending. She told him her story and both of them agreed that their prayer life would change.
I cannot get down on my knees, but I can know who Jesus is, that I am just a little 95 year old girl wanting to talk with him. He already knows what I need. but I’ll tell him just the same. The important thing is that I realize how truly great God is and how little I am. But he wants me to talk with him. He wants you too, and it helps if you get down on your knees. That just reminds you how great he is and how little you are. We have so much to bring to him, Our America seems to be falling apart. Jesus knows that, but he wants us to place our needs on his shoulders. So, let us pray for everything we need and let us pray humbly. Two friends need to get together often. Don’t you think?
GramMa's Thoughts 