Sometimes you don’t need lyrics to pray. When a violin and a saxophone play one of the best-loved old Christian hymns we know, something shifts in the room. That is exactly what happens when a husband and wife perform an instrumental rendition of ‘Nearer, My God, to Thee.’
Sarah Flower Adams wrote ‘Nearer, My God, to Thee’ way back in 1841. The message of the song is something we all need to hear. It is about us drawing closer to God even when we are going through deep trials and feeling completely alone. It reminds us that our hardest struggles can actually push us closer to the Lord.
Violinist Rosemary Siemens and her husband Eli Bennett brought this classic back to life for her Sunday Hymn Serenade series. Rosemary grew up playing in church and has since taken her music to places like Carnegie Hall and the Vatican. But she still loves going back to her roots with these traditional songs. Eli is an award-winning saxophonist and together they create a sound that completely settles your spirit.
Most of us are used to hearing this song belted out by a massive choir or a full church organ. This stripped-down version feels much more like a private conversation with the Lord.
The bright notes of Rosemary’s violin blend perfectly with the deep, rich tones of Eli’s saxophone. Many people shared about how much peace this music brought them during a hard day or while dealing with heavy grief. We really need these old melodies in our lives because they anchor us and remind us of the strong faith of the generations before us.
The whole song is based on the story in Genesis where Jacob was sleeping on a stone in the middle of nowhere. God showed him a ladder reaching up to heaven to prove He was still there. You might be in a place right now that feels just as hard and lonely. But God is right there with you in the middle of it.
How do we actually draw near to Him when we feel like that? The Bible gives us a few clear ways to do it today.
- First, just talk to Him. You do not need to find the right words to pray. Hebrews tells us we can come boldly to His throne. So just tell Him what you are going through and trust that He can provide the help you need.
- Next, open your Bible. Even if it is just a chapter or a single verse. God will speak to you through those words and remind you that you are not alone.
- Finally, let go of what you are trying to control. James tells us that if we submit and draw near to God, He will draw near to us. Leave your burdens at the feet of Jesus and let Him carry the weight for you.
Take a few minutes to play this song out loud in your house or your car today. Let it be a reminder that He is always right by your side.
WATCH: Beautiful Cover of ‘Nearer, My God, to Thee’ by Rosemary Siemens and Eli Bennett
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