Singing about God’s Manna for My Soul

I love the song “Manna for My Soul.”

Many of you probably have never heard it because friends wrote the song in 2004.

We sing it at our church frequently thanks to Gregg Campbell’s (music) and Craig Hermsmeyer’s (lyrics) generosity.

I shiver every time Gregg plays the opening chords.

Communion

We sing it during the communion portion of our service.

The music shimmers and the poignant lyrics always draw me back to what communion is all about.

The lyrics for “Manna for My Soul,” are based out of Exodus when God arranged for manna to arrive each morning–six days a week–for the Israelites.

They were to trust God to provide for all their needs–every day. If they “hoarded” manna and kept it over night, it turned into a worm-infested mess the next morning.

The Israelites had to depend upon God to provide their food every single day–except the Sabbath, the day of rest.

In our Lutheran Church, communion remembers Jesus’ body and blood spilled on the cross to take away our sins.

Remembrance

Our church has a corporate confession of sin in the liturgy.

We recognize our sins need to be forgiven before we can approach God.

We stand together, speaking out loud, all the times we have sinned against God, “whether in thought, word or deed.”

The pastor makes the sign of the cross, speaking on behalf of God: “your sins are forgiven.”

We then move into the communion service which features a review of the last supper and Jesus’ words from Luke 22: 19-20:

And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, 

“This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

 And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.”

We sing as the congregation slowly moves up the aisle to the altar.

Walking to the altar for communion is a step in humility.

I love watching the members of my church body line up and approach the altar.

Many are deeply moved; their sins forgiven and now they partake of a oneness with God.

I love going forward myself.

Manna for My Soul

Here are Craig’s words, reflecting communion’s meaning:

Lord we eat in remembrance of Your body that we broke,

Through Your pain You rain forgiveness

In the words You spoke.

How You set aside Your glory

And You took away our sin.

You wrote a brand new story

And in You we live again.

Chorus:

Broken for me. Poured out for me,

Your body given just to make me whole.

Marvelous love, Strength from above.

Manna for my soul

Lord, we drink in remembrance of Your blood that we spilled,

All of heaven You surrendered at Your Father’s will

We’re the thieves on either side of You,

Yet You made us each Your own,

We’re joining here with You, Lord, till we dine with You at home.

Chorus

How does it end?

We remember the why as we sing each line:

Lord, we eat in remembrance.

Lord, we drink in remembrance,

Lord we eat in remembrance,

Lord, we drink in remembrance.

Manna for my soul.

 I need that manna, daily, too.

Every day, I turn to God in my prayers.

I read the Bible, think, pray, repent, ask and yield my heart and day to God.

Every day, like the Israelites in the desert oh so long ago, I receive God’s manna.

I’m not collecting anything in a basket; in my case God provides the spiritual food I need for the day.

I remember Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross on my behalf–and yours.

My soul is fed.

But it has to be renewed everyday.

Here’s a recording of the words and music together.  Manna for My Soul

Rejoice! God daily provides manna for all our souls.

Tweetables

What is manna for my soul? Click to Tweet

A modern communion hymn of remembrance. Click to Tweet