Heather Jangra tells how her heart was moved by the Taize worship chorus "Stay With Me"



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The God I was supposed to trust had obviously instilled great trust in my husband. Drugs and the wisdom of doctors had initiated a vast physical change but Bimal was talking of something beyond its elastic limit.

Thursday was the morning of the biopsy, and our minister's wife came to pray with me. I told her how ashamed I was that I could not see how God fitted into the future of this. She had brought a tape of music from the Taize Community in France. It was the first thing that I had solidly focussed on in days. It was beautiful. We prayed together for a while, as the music played....

"Lord, hear my prayer, when I call, answer me,'

I meditated on the simple one-line, repetitive songs, and one in particular held significance for me.

"Stay with me, remain here with me, watch and pray."

It struck me that all around us, people were watching and praying. Churches everywhere were now involved, in Bilston, in Wigan where the band once played, and every Church in West Bromwich that I could think of. People were coming to see us from everywhere; indeed a large human amalgamation appeared to be under way. And God was behind everything. One simple line of music had made me understand that the God I had temporarily doubted was keeping watch with me.

That night I told Bimal, and he smiled knowingly. "Don't doubt God for a minute," he said. The next day, the biopsy results showed that the tumour was benign. The Registrar explained this to me at great length, gesticulating with his large hands. One week later, Bimal had undergone brain surgery to remove the tumour, encouraged by lots of fervent prayer, and a great feeling of tranquillity. Eleven days later, he was home! Miracles do still happen.

STAY WITH ME
by Jacques Berthier as sung at Taize; words based on Matthew 26:36,41

Stay with me
Remain here with me
Watch and pray
Watch and pray
© Les Presses de Taize (France)
Published by Collins Liturgical Publications, part of Harper Collins Publishers Ltd. CR

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.