Psalter Hymnal (Gray) ‎#265

265. Standing in the Need of Prayer

1 Not my brother, nor my sister, but it's me, O Lord,
standing in the need of prayer;
not my brother, nor my sister, but it's me, O Lord,
standing in the need of prayer.

Refrain:
It's me, it's me, O Lord,
standing in the need of prayer;
it's me, it's me, O Lord,
standing in the need of prayer.

2 Not the elder, nor the deacon, but it's me, O Lord,
standing in the need of prayer;
not the elder, nor the deacon, but it's me, O Lord,
standing in the need of prayer. [Refrain]

3 Not my father, nor my mother, but it's me, O Lord,
standing in the need of prayer;
not my father, nor my mother, but it's me, O Lord,
standing in the need of prayer. [Refrain ]

4 Not the stranger, nor my neighbor, but it's me, O Lord,
standing in the need of prayer;
not the stranger, nor my neighbor, but it's me, O Lord,
standing in the need of prayer. [Refrain]

Text Information

• First Line: Not my brother, nor my sister, but it's me, O Lord
• Title: Standing in the Need of Prayer
• Refrain First Line: It's me, it's me, it's me, O Lord
• Meter: PM
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1987
• Topic: Intercession of Christ; Commitment & Dedication; Songs for Children: Hymns; Confession and Forgiveness; Confession of Sin; Forgiveness; Humility
• Source: Afro-American spiritual

Tune Information

• Name: STANDING
• Meter: PM
• Key: G Major
• Source: Afro-American spiritual

Text Information:

Like 264, "Standing in the Need" is an African American spiritual, and, like many folk songs, its origin is unknown. Both text and tune became well known after their publication in The Book of American Negro Spirituals (1925), compiled by James Weldon Johnson and his brother,]. Rosamond Johnson.

Using hyperbole, or exaggerating to make a point, the text brings a very specific message: "I need prayer!" Obviously all the other persons mentioned in the text need prayer as well-yet the text stresses the individual's need for prayer. Such an under¬standing of this text permits its use in corporate worship-in which we all realize that each of us needs prayer just as much as all of us need prayer. The text emphasizes personal responsibility within a larger context of community.

Liturgical Use:
As a call to prayer, this song should be part of a time of sung and spoken and silent prayers-for forgiveness, of course, but also for healing, for gratitude, for more fervent faith, and so on.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook

Tune Information:

STANDING is a call-and-response tune; the Psalter Hymnal has marked clearly the solo lead parts and the congregational-response parts, which are to be sung in harmony. Since most African American spirituals were originally sung unaccompanied, have the choir or even the congregation hum the accompaniment to the solo lines.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook