Christ Prayer

Our church has been walking through a prayer guide for the season of Lent. Our noontime prayer includes one written by a pastor in St. Joseph, MO, named Brian Zahnd (adapted from St. Patrick's breastplate).

Christ above me, God of very God.

Christ below me, incarnate of the dust.

Christ before me, when seen.

Christ behind me, when unseen.

Christ at my right hand, in my strength.

Christ at my left hand, in my weakness.

Christ around me, filling all in all. Christ within me, formed by faith.

I have prayed this prayer so many times over the years. Often I'll find a particular phrase lingering with me throughout the day.

Last Tuesday, right before my 12pm class walked in, I sat at the piano and began reciting the prayer:

Christ above me... Christ below...

Christ before me... Christ behind...

Next thing I knew, it's like I was catching a melody floating somewhere around me, as if a song were descending from out of heaven space into view. Over the next few days, I whittled at it, shared it with some songwriting friends, and, eventually, this song emerged:

It feels immediately accessible, and it's been a balm already to me throughout my days. I hope to share it with our church soon. I've prepared a chord chart and lead sheet for it, which you're welcome to use with your congregation as well.

Chords:

Christ Prayer - F.pdf

Download PDF • 94KB

Christ Prayer - D.pdf

Download PDF • 96KB

Lead sheets:

Christ Prayer leadsheet - F.pdf

Download PDF • 82KB

Christ Prayer leadsheet - D.pdf

Download PDF • 39KB

If you find this song to be a blessing in any way to you or your church, please let us know. We'd love to celebrate that with you! I'll share the lyrics below in closing:

Christ Prayer (CCLI 7256084)

When the night is long and deep

And its terrors break my sleep

Still I know I’ll wake to find

Christ forever in my life

As the battles rage within

And my strength is wearing thin

I will hold to this in mind

Christ forever in my life

Christ above me, Christ below

Christ beside me where I go

Christ before me, Christ behind

Christ forever in my life

Whether I am loved and known

Or I find myself alone 

Still the blessing here is mine

Christ forever in my life

Christ above me, Christ below

Christ beside me where I go

Christ before me, Christ behind

Christ forever in my life

When my days on earth have passed

When I hear the trumpet blast

Then my faith will turn to sight

Christ forever in my life

Christ above me, Christ below

Christ beside me where I go

Christ before me, Christ behind

Christ forever in my life