Posted on 04/08/2006 9:55:54 PM PDT by Full Court
This hymn was written after two major traumas in Spafford’s life. The first was the great Chicago Fire of October 1871, which ruined him financially (he had been a wealthy businessman). Shortly after, while crossing the Atlantic, all four of Spafford’s daughters died in a collision with another ship. Spafford’s wife Anna survived and sent him the now famous telegram, “Saved alone.” Several weeks later, as Spafford’s own ship passed near the spot where his daughters died, the Holy Spirit inspired these words. They speak to the eternal hope that all believers have, no matter what pain and grief befall them on earth.
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Refrain
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
Refrain
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
Refrain
For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.
Refrain
But, Lord, ‘tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh trump of the angel! Oh voice of the Lord!
Blessèd hope, blessèd rest of my soul!
Refrain
And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.
Refrain
Father, may peace like a river flow over this precious child of yours and her loving family. May she receive the blessed assurance of your love that is but a foretaste of Your divine glory and the joy that awaits her when she joins Your heavenly kingdom---that magnificent place where sorrow and sickness are gone forevermore. In the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
You're in my prayers as well!
Prayers for her, and thank you for telling us a bit about a good life lived.
As always, thanks much for the wonderful hymn...its one of my favorites...also thanks for the background of the hymns writer, and what lead him to write such a wonderful song...
Secondly, sending prayers for your aunt...that her passing may be calm, and peaceful and that she finds herself, home with the Lord...
Its never easy saying goodbye to loved ones...we believe that they are going to a much better place, and for that we can rejoice...but still, we miss them here on earth, and mourn their absence...
I have sat with my mom and dad as they were dying, and tho I mourned their passing I had the great calmness of soul, and complete belief, that the Lord would care for them...
I also sat with my older boy, aged 15, as he was dying from complications of leukemia...that was indeed, the hardest thing to do, that I have ever experienced in my life...had I not had the complete hope and belief that he would be safe with the Lord, I would have gone out of my mind...the only way, I have been able to go on in life, is the realization, that one day, I will again be with my son...
Its wonderful that you have such fine memories of your aunt...those memories will keep her alive in your heart...when one passes on, memories of them is something that will remain with us always...and the hope of seeing them again, with the Lord, will sustain us through life...
Prayers for your aunt, you and your family, and for all those who loved your aunt...
And great tribute, and truly one of the greatest of the great hymns. Your great aunt sounds equally wonderful. May the Lord's grace abound to all, and may His peace and assurance of His perfect will comfort spirit, soul and body in Christ Jesus.
Paul
Prayers sent for your great aunt and your family.
The Lord be with her.
prayer bump
May the Lord grant you all peace and comfort.
Omnipotens sempiterne Deus, salus aeterna credentium, exaudi nos pro famulis tuis infirmis, pro quibus misericordiae tuae imploramus auxilium; ut, reddita sibi sanitate, gratiarum tibi in Ecclesia tua referant actiones. Per Christium Dominum nostrum. Amen.
Almighty, everlasting God, the eternal salvation of those who believe, hear us in behalf of Thy sick servants, for whom we implore the help of Thy mercy, that, being restored to health, they may render thanks to Thee in Thy Church. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
This is one of my favorite hymns- they played it at my grandfather's funeral and will hopefully play it at mine. Prayers for your family Full Court.
My uncle, another "greatest generation" member, is dying as well.
How is your aunt doing? And how are YOU doing?
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