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Keep Watch, Dear Lord

by Rick Lee James

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DAYTON, Ohio—“Keep Watch, Dear Lord,” a poignant new single from acclaimed singer/songwriter and podcaster Rick Lee James, is now available on digital platforms. Penned and produced by James with instrumental contributions from Dove Award-winner Craig Adams, the tender piano ballad pays tribute to the care and compassion selflessly administered each day by doctors, nurses and other medical professionals around the world.

Inspired by James’ role as a chaplaincy resident at Kettering Health in Ohio, “Keep Watch, Dear Lord” is not only a song of encouragement, but an earnest prayer for God to bestow comfort and peace upon those who have embraced a sacred calling to care for the suffering, dying and grieving.

“After a particularly difficult night when I sat by a patient's bedside and, along with the staff, sang to him as he went home to the Lord, I read part of the Compline Prayer,” James shares of the song’s inspiration. “The prayer begins with, ‘Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night,’ and I thought of all the people who do the kind, compassionate work that takes place in healthcare settings. Now I sing the song to myself as I do my rounds at the hospital as a way of praying for the staff, for myself, and for all who are working for the sake of others.”

“They aren't thanked enough for their tireless work, but I have heard many of the nurses at my hospital say to their patients, ‘This is not our hospital; this is God's hospital.’ I hope 'Keep Watch, Dear Lord' will remind each of them—from the custodians to the cooks to the care teams to the techs—just how important and valued they are and that we are thankful for them.”

lyrics

Keep Watch, Dear Lord
By Rick Lee James


Verse 1
Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night.
And give your angels charge o’er those who are saving other’s lives
Let them be as Christ to the dying ones
Who will draw their final breath
Let their hands soothe the suffering
And bring the weary rest
Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night.

Verse 2
Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this day
Their healing hands bring solace near to grieving ones whose lives have changed
Let your compassion give them strength to lift the heavy load
With willing minds and open hearts that welcome every soul
Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this day

Verse 3
Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep in life.
May they find You in the broken hearts of those for whom You gave Your life
Give eyes to see you in the ones who are overlooked each day
And ears to hear you in the ones who have never had a say
Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep in life.

credits

released August 18, 2023
Written by Rick Lee James
Rick Lee James - Piano, Electric Guitar, Bass, Vocals
Craig Adams - Glockenspiel, Percussion, Accordion.

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Rick Lee James Springfield, Ohio

Rick Lee James is a singer and songwriter, a hospital chaplain, a gifted speaker, a worship leader and a Podcast host who has worked with the likes of Jason Gray, Andrew Peterson, Sara Groves, Michael Card, Brian Zahnd, Tripp York, Brett Mccracken, Ian Morgan Cron and many more. ... more

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