I love that we are pulling music from the hymnbook as well as from the children’s songbook for my church’s annual children’s program. This year the hymn Did You Think to Pray was included on the list of potential music. I arranged this hoping to offer an alternative for those looking to try something new.
It is written for piano and children’s voices, but the piece can also stand alone as a piano solo. My arrangement includes only two verses. I kept it entirely in the key of C major. That brings it down a bit from the original key and should make it easier for lower voices to sing. And just for fun I tried weaving melodies from other hymns into the accompaniment here and there.
Ere you left your room this morning,
Did you think to pray?
In the name of Christ,our Savior,
Did you sue for loving favor
As a shield today?
O how praying rests the weary!
Prayer will change the night to day.
So, when life gets dark and dreary,
Don’t forget to pray.
I am especially drawn to the third verse . . .
When sore trials came upon you,
Did you think to pray?
When your soul was full of sorrow,
Balm of Gilead did you borrow
At the gates of day?
- Mary A. Pepper Kidder
Imagine “the gates of day” as the opening to a realm of eternal daylight—gates of prayer that connect us with our heavenly home and the realm of glory where God and Christ dwell. When we pray, we borrow strength, love, and light at the very door of eternity. - Bruce D. Porter
Thanks Terri. Beautiful arrangement!
ReplyDeleteLove the arrangement and we'd really like to do it, but it's a little low for the squeaky-high girls in our primary. Is it possible for you to share it in the key of D, as well?
ReplyDeleteYou bet. I should have it uploaded here in the next day or so.
DeleteThank you!!!! So excited for our kids to sing it!!
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