Prayer Gently Lifts Me

Heather Allington

Heather writes for Sunday Song Book on behalf of the The Salvation Army Oshawa. As a lifelong member of the Army, she has loved these familiar - and some less familiar - songs for many years, and enjoys researching and writing about their origins. She is a wife, mother, grandmother and retired elementary school teacher who likes trying her hand at watercolour painting and poetry writing.

How we need to be lifted above it all and into the restful presence of Jesus! Share on X

Prayer gently lifts me to highest Heaven,
From Earth’s confusion to Jesus’ breast;
My sin and weakness, my doubt and sorrow,
Are lost forever in sweetest rest.

Just a simple, brief chorus, but such beautiful thoughts and lovely melody! Life can be confusing at times, especially when our hopes are dashed or when sudden tragedy strikes, as it did in Toronto recently. How we need to be lifted above it all and into the restful presence of Jesus!

Colonel Hal Beckett wrote the chorus while in charge of The Salvation Army’s work in Iceland and the Faeroe Islands. He is known more for his earlier work in establishing corps (churches) and children’s homes in China, where he and his wife served from 1917 to 1924. By 1928 there were 212 trained officers working in 84 centres in that country. However, political conflicts resulted in The Salvation Army being expelled from China in 1951. Confusion for the Becketts? Certainly disappointment after all their efforts and triumphs! Colonel Beckett later became a noted speaker and also wrote a book called Save the World Army , the name given to the Salvation Army in China during his tenure. He lived from 1888-1971.