Reintroducing: The Prayer By: Jeremy Epperson Many people have asked me what are my methods for my songwriting. In turn, I usually tell them there is no method to my madness. Honestly speaking I genuinely feel that the songs that I write are truly divinely inspired by God. There is no way possible for me to be able to compose anything worth listening to without Gods help. Some writers get an idea for a song and they sit down and begin to write a brilliant and masterful work of art. They begin with a blank palette and an idea, maybe a thought from a sermon or maybe they just work from a bible story theyve heard or just read. Although I can say that the latter is more like how my songs come about, those scenarios are rarely the contributing factors to my songwriting. In the case of just about every song I have ever written I will have to say that the song has culminated and materialized right before my very eyes. Now Im not saying I can stare at a blank page and instantly and miraculously words appear as if by magic, but a line to the song, often the chorus, pops into my head and I begin to sing it. After that line another, then another and before I know it, a song is born. When I write my songs I hear each intricate part. I hear the melody, I hear the instrumentation right down to what instrument will play solos and intros. I hear the harmony structure. In most cases I know whether the lead vocal will be male, female, Alto, Soprano, Lead, Tenor and so forth. You see, God inspires me to write the whole song. He leaves nothing to chance because he knows I will mess it up. I feel that God inspires me to write material in the style in which it should be performed. If he expected the song to be performed like a contemporary song why in the world would he inspire me to write it as a traditional or Southern Gospel style? For this reason I realize that God sends me two kinds of songs. One kind of song is to be recorded and shared with the world. The other kind is a type of song that God sends to me and it is just for an audience of one. That one being me. The song I would like to reintroduce you to tonight is The Prayer. Of all the songs I have ever written this song is by far the most special to me and we get more requests for this song than any other song we sing. It is truly an honor for me to tell you how this song was written. Several years ago my wife and I fell into some financial hard times. Long story short we were way behind on everything, the mortgage included. We were so far behind we didnt know how far behind we were and we were scared to death. One day while working for the chemical company driving the delivery truck I decided to call the bank to discuss our options. I was on the phone with them for what seemed like an eternity. I hung up the phone more worried than I was before I called. I had arrived at my delivery. I got out of the truck, hooked up my hoses and began pumping product into the massive 1500 gallon tank at the facility. I couldnt get my mind off of the conversation I had just had with the bank. I didnt know anything else to do so I knelt down on the step to that old work truck and began to pray. I said Lord you knew Id pray this prayer long before I closed my eyes. Before I bowed my head you looked in this heart of mine. This burden that Ive carried for so long I give to you. And I know that since youve known so long youll know just what to do. After I prayed that prayer I stood up, wiped my eyes and I instantly knew that God was going to take care of everything. I never worried another minute of the day about it. It was signed, sealed, delivered as far as I was concerned. Exactly one week later I was in the same place, doing the very same thing when the phone rang. It was the bank. I looked down at the phone and I honestly shivered. I said Oh Lord! Thats the bank. Theyre calling to tell me that we cant keep,our home. I decided to take it like a man and answer it. I picked up the phone and said Hello. The operator on the other side informed me that this was an attempt to collect a debt and that the call was being recorded and about five minutes of more nonsense that just made me even more nervous. Finally the agent said Mr Epperson, we are happy to inform you that we have modified your mortgage. Your payments are $200 less per month. You dont even have to pay us for two months. To which I was able to articulately arouse the following words: Ok and then hung up the phone. A couple of weeks later God inspired me to pen the words to The Prayer. Its not really a song. Its the very prayer I prayed that day on the step of that old work truck. Lord youve always seen your children safely through and I know that this time, thats just what youre gonna do. Lord Im weary and I dont know what else that I can do. So tonight Ill pray this prayer and Ill give it all to you. This song has been a blessing to so many and we are very excited to present it in our own style. I hope that you enjoy The Prayer.
Posted on: Fri, 21 Nov 2014 03:39:28 +0000
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