"Just a Little Talk With Jesus"
The words of the chorus/refrain are as follows:
Now let us have a little talk with Jesus
Let us tell Him all about our troubles
He will hear our faintest cry and we will answer by and by
Now when you feel a little prayer wheel turning
Then you'll know a little fire is burning
You will find a little talk with Jesus makes it right
COMMENTS:
The troubling part of this song is this phrase:
"Now when you feel a little prayer wheel turning
Then you'll know a little fire is burning"
Our position at BibleTruthForToday is that prayer wheels are:
unBiblical (i.e. no basis in the Scriptures),
unChristian (in fact, pagan),
unnecessary (Biblical prayer does not need such "helps"),
The source of the following information is:
http://www.gbod.org/live-the-um-way/responding-to-world-events/resource/just-a-little-talk-with-jesus
"A prayer wheel is a cylindrical container, perhaps made of wood, metal, or some other substance. Inside are inscribed the words of a prayer; or prayers may be written on a piece of paper and placed inside. Prayer wheels are commonly used in Tibetan Buddhism, and practitioners believe that as the prayer wheel is turned or spun around, each rotation results in the prayers inside actually being somehow prayed, even if not spoken. So, why is the prayer wheel in a southern Gospel song....?
Unfortunately, it is unknown what Derricks intended by including it in his song or what his own personal experience with a prayer wheel might have been. The editorial committee discussed this line and considered replacing it with something more explicitly Christian, something like "feel the Holy Spirit churning," a line used in some recorded and printed versions. The committee left the original line in for the following reasons:
The following comments were found at http://www.a-voice.org/main/pagan-ch.htm
"Then, the haunting question arose in my mind. What's a "prayer wheel?" (as the song states) It's not preached about in fundamental churches. It's not found in Scriptures. But "we" sing about it. (Remember: Plato said, "Let me make the songs of a nation and I care not who makes its laws." The same is true of "Songs and Doctrine.") When I posed the question to a trusted friend, he did what I could have done; looked it up in a dictionary. Well, Duh! So, here it is; "Prayer Wheel"="A cylinder containing or inscribed with prayers or litanies that is revolved on its axis in devotions, especially by Tibetan Buddhists."There's another song I used to think was "so wonderful." "Let us break bread together on our knees ...when I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun, Oh, Lord have mercy on me."What?! "Christians" using prayer wheels? "Christians" bowing to the rising sun?! Embracing eastern mystic, ancestor-worship, reincarnation-type religions?! Worshiping the "host of heaven?"(Deu4:19) Using "vain repetitions of the heathen?"(Mt 6:7)"
Please note: Our use of quotations from other sources does not indicate our agreement with everything contained at those references.
The words of the chorus/refrain are as follows:
Now let us have a little talk with Jesus
Let us tell Him all about our troubles
He will hear our faintest cry and we will answer by and by
Now when you feel a little prayer wheel turning
Then you'll know a little fire is burning
You will find a little talk with Jesus makes it right
COMMENTS:
The troubling part of this song is this phrase:
"Now when you feel a little prayer wheel turning
Then you'll know a little fire is burning"
Our position at BibleTruthForToday is that prayer wheels are:
unBiblical (i.e. no basis in the Scriptures),
unChristian (in fact, pagan),
unnecessary (Biblical prayer does not need such "helps"),
The source of the following information is:
http://www.gbod.org/live-the-um-way/responding-to-world-events/resource/just-a-little-talk-with-jesus
"A prayer wheel is a cylindrical container, perhaps made of wood, metal, or some other substance. Inside are inscribed the words of a prayer; or prayers may be written on a piece of paper and placed inside. Prayer wheels are commonly used in Tibetan Buddhism, and practitioners believe that as the prayer wheel is turned or spun around, each rotation results in the prayers inside actually being somehow prayed, even if not spoken. So, why is the prayer wheel in a southern Gospel song....?
Unfortunately, it is unknown what Derricks intended by including it in his song or what his own personal experience with a prayer wheel might have been. The editorial committee discussed this line and considered replacing it with something more explicitly Christian, something like "feel the Holy Spirit churning," a line used in some recorded and printed versions. The committee left the original line in for the following reasons:
- Prayer wheels were used by some Christian slaves and later by post-Civil War African American worshipers;
- Prayer wheels have been used by southern and rural Christian whites in worship and private devotion;
- Even today some Pentecostals and Charismatics use prayer wheels;
- Christian prayer wheels are being manufactured, sold, and used today;
- The committee struggled with editing out a well-known phrase from a well-known gospel song. While it is known that prayer wheels are of great importance in Buddhism, the committee also recognized their place in broader Christian practice, if not usually United Methodist. In the end, the committee realized that the context of the prayer wheel in this song is intentionally Christian and not at all connected with Buddhism. Keep the line if you sing this song; or if you prefer, edit it."
The following comments were found at http://www.a-voice.org/main/pagan-ch.htm
"Then, the haunting question arose in my mind. What's a "prayer wheel?" (as the song states) It's not preached about in fundamental churches. It's not found in Scriptures. But "we" sing about it. (Remember: Plato said, "Let me make the songs of a nation and I care not who makes its laws." The same is true of "Songs and Doctrine.") When I posed the question to a trusted friend, he did what I could have done; looked it up in a dictionary. Well, Duh! So, here it is; "Prayer Wheel"="A cylinder containing or inscribed with prayers or litanies that is revolved on its axis in devotions, especially by Tibetan Buddhists."There's another song I used to think was "so wonderful." "Let us break bread together on our knees ...when I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun, Oh, Lord have mercy on me."What?! "Christians" using prayer wheels? "Christians" bowing to the rising sun?! Embracing eastern mystic, ancestor-worship, reincarnation-type religions?! Worshiping the "host of heaven?"(Deu4:19) Using "vain repetitions of the heathen?"(Mt 6:7)"
Please note: Our use of quotations from other sources does not indicate our agreement with everything contained at those references.