Lyrics
When darkness surrounds me,
When every hope and dream
Lies broken in my hands,
Your kindness reminds me
That there is one who understands;
One who walked this lonely road before,
One who gives me strength to say:
Every hour in my deepest need
There is grace for me, there is grace for me.
By Your power whenever I am weak,
There is grace for me, there is grace enough for me.
Stand by me, revive me
When I am weary with the sorrow and the loss.
Release me, and teach me
To bring my burdens to the cross;
Blood that cleanses every trace of sin,
Love that mends the broken heart.
Grace when the battle is long,
Grace when temptation is strong,
Grace when my courage is gone
And doubts confound me.
Grace for the faith to believe,
Grace for the heart to receive,
Grace for the power to leave
The past behind me,
Christ before me,
All my hope in You!
A song inviting the grace of God into our darkest moments
This song (co-written with Susan Ashton & Christ Eaton) began life at a writing session with Susan some years ago, where the chorus took shape, but we got stuck after that. And it was only after getting together with Chris in Nashville some years later that the song was completed.
It’s a song that obviously celebrates the grace of God, but in the context of disappointment, depression, guilt and loss. I think that at a time when mental health issues are being talked about with a fresh openness in our society, it’s important for us as the church to provide a safe place – not only where these things can be talked about, but where we can invite the grace of God in to our darkest situations.
