At eighteen I was going through all the old books that I preserved since my schooldays. I found a dairy with faded yellow pages. It was my prayer book when I was eight. My eyes fell on the Hymn "Abide With Me". I always remembered singing the prayer song though I could not understand what their lines were. Now I read each line thoroughly. These are my reflections.

Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;

The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide.

When other helpers fail and comfort flee,

Help of the helpless, O abide with me.

The very first phrase set me thinking: When God is always with me why is it necessary to say "Abide with me”?? I could only say to myself that by singing the phrase " Abide with me", I am only praying to god to make me conscious of His presence in my life. When I lose God-consciousness, the eventide of my life is lost. There is darkness around. My steadfast intellect and sensitive heart are my friends, congenial company and wise people are my comforts; when they are no longer there, God! Abide with me!!

Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;

Earth’s joys grow dim; its glories pass away;

Change and decay in all around I see;

O Thou who changest not, abide with me.

"Time is running out, day dies out quickly. I am less keen on earthly pleasures. The desire for fame and pride in possessions is fading out. Everything around changes, only Your Love for me (us) does not change! Lord! Abide with me!!"

I need Thy presence every passing hour.

What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s power?

Who like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?

Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.

I stay God-Conscious Only by His grace. It is not because of my efforts. He shows me the path. He leads me to Himself. What ever my phase of life be, what ever my state of mind be, Lord is with me!!

Later I came to know that more stanzas are associated with this song. You may find the entire song at < http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/a/b/abidewme.htm>  But these three stanzas are my favorite, this could be so because they are with me ever since I was a child.