Marvin Winans, “Sweet Hour of Prayer…” | Sunday Refresh 🙏

On the 8^th edition of Sunday Refresh, we’re uplifted by Marvin Winans performing a medley of hymns (“Sweet Hour of Prayer / Abide with Me / It Is Well”).

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elcome to Sunday Refresh 🙏, a column that seeks to highlight inspirational songs to uplift the spirit.  These tracks that appear on Sunday Refresh 🙏 may or may not be faith-based or religious; the goal is for them to make you feel better – refreshed.  So, for the 8^th edition of Sunday Refresh 🙏 (2022), we highlight 🎵 “Sweet Hour of Prayer / Abide with Me / It Is Well” as performed by 🎙 Marvin Winans.

How about some spiritual refresh from a medley of beloved hymns? That’s exactly what 🎙 Marvin Winans delivers on 🎵 “Sweet Hour of Prayer / Abide with Me / It Is Well.”  Where was this gorgeous, moving medley of hymns recorded at, you ask? Why, the ⛪ Times Square Church in New York City in 2021.  Winans commences with the beloved prayer chant, “Sweet Hour of Prayer,” singing it in reverent fashion. In his hands, 🎵 “Sweet Hour of Prayer” truly sounds like the ultimate petition to God – going into that prayer closet and speaking to The Most High.  From there, he transitions to another oldie, “Abide with Me.” Arguably, 🎵 “Abide with Me” is the rarest of the three, at least, in my church-going history.  Nonetheless, he sings it radiantly; it truly breathes on you.  While “Sweet Hour of Prayer” and “Abide with Me” are excellent, the best part of the medley is undoubtedly 🎵 “It Is Well.”

I’m biased but “It Is Well (With My Soul)” has long been a favorite hymn.  The lyrics were penned by 🎼✍ Horatio Spafford, while the tune hails from 🎼✍ Philip Bliss.  Tragically, Bliss was killed in a horrific train accident, aged 38.  Despite the tragedy, “It is Well” continues to live on, ministering to new flocks as time progresses.  Furthermore, if you were in band during school, perhaps you happened to perform On a Hymnsong of Philip Bliss by David Holsinger (the tune being “It Is Well,” of course).

In Marvin Winans’ hands, he’s reverent and expressive on the verses (solo). On the refrain, he’s joined by choir and more music accompaniment.  It’s that refrain – “It is well (It is well) / With my soul (With my soul)” – that truly ‘hits different.’  The words, the vibe – it moves! After getting the spirit excited following two verses and two refrains, Winans delivers a third verse, before one final powerful refrain with key modulation.  The point is, “It Is Well” truly speaks to the soul, serving as a brilliant way to cap off this awesome medley comprised of old hymns.

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Marvin Winans, “Sweet Hour of Prayer / Abide with Me / It Is Well”: Sunday Refresh 🙏 No. 8 (2022) [📷: Brent Faulkner, The Musical Hype, Times Square Church, Zac Durant on Unsplash]

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