CD Review: Hear My Prayer

Although my favourite music to listen to is vocal music, I do enjoy a good instrumental CD. I first heard the CD Hear My Prayer through a friend, and purchased it a couple years ago or so. The liquid, golden sound of a classical guitar being masterfully played is incredibly relaxing. When mixed with oboe, flute, orchestra or strings, as in some tracks, the heart is quieted, and the spirit soars.

I appreciate that Matthew Burtner has included several old hymns on this CD. Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Wretched; O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus and O Sacred Head Now Wounded are too often forgotten in our hymn-singing today. The inclusion of The Sands of Time Are Sinking is special as well, as it is one of my all-time favourite hymns. One way it became beloved to me is as I read about the life of Jim and Elisabeth Elliot, and how the fourth verse was close to her heart:

O Christ, He is the fountain, the deep, sweet well of love!
The streams of earth I’ve tasted more deep I’ll drink above:
There to an ocean fullness His mercy doth expand,
And glory, glory dwelleth in Immanuel’s land.

Newer songs, such as Psalm 86; Saviour, Lead Us; and The Steps of a Good Man are also welcome additions. Some of the tracks were familiar to me before; others were new. The lyrics to all the songs are included in the insert, which is a great help, and an added blessing.

If you want an instrumental CD to relax with, and to edify you spiritually as well, go with this one. You can search for it here.