Sometimes the simplest prayers can say everything that needs to be said. For instance, the Jesus prayer — “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner” — says a lot about our faith and willingness to put ourselves in the Lord’s hands in just 12 words. Matt Maher’s “Lord, I Need You” is similarly potent while using only four.
Maher expresses his longing for God by repeating the title phrase in practically every verse. This repetition is very similar to the way we pray repetitiously, moment by moment, with our rosaries, and are so led into deeper contemplation. It is almost a Catholic “mantra.”
Matt Maher is a well-known Christian songwriter, with an impressive catalogue and a reputation for crafting songs that work as well in gathered worship as in personal prayer. Songs like this, which is not only an outstanding song of praise but downright catchy, too, show that reputation is justified.
Follow Cecilia–Aleteia’s music page–on Facebook!