More than Coincidence: Remembering Jesus Christ in Your Story

Secret Prayer with Stefko

September 15, 2024 • Lily • Season 1 • Episode 45

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There is no denying the profound role of music in worship. Today we welcome my brother Stefko who, despite his disabilities, conveys his deep love for the Savior through singing and listening to hymns. Together we listen to three of Stefko's favorite hymns, "Secret Prayer," "How Great Thou Art," and "Count Your Blessings." As we listen, I hope you feel the deep love my brother has for Christ through his unique testimony! :)

I DO NOT own any of the music.

You can find and download the songs we listened to here on The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint's music page.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/music?lang=eng 

The arrangement of "How Great Thou Art" is performed by the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square and can be purchased on iTunes (which is where I got it). 

Please reach out to me if you are interested in sharing your story! I would LOVE to hear from you. :)

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**Transcripts available on website!

Speaker 1:

Hello everyone and welcome to More Than Coincidence, remembering Jesus Christ in your Story. As the author and finisher of our faith, our Savior writes personal experiences into each of our lives which can later strengthen, empower and bring us peace upon reflection. This podcast is dedicated to sharing these anchoring memories from everyone's unique stories in order to collectively remember and testify of the reality of Jesus Christ and his presence in our lives. I'm your host, lily, and I'm very excited to share these experiences together. So today on the podcast, we have Stefko. How are you, stefko? How are you?

Speaker 2:

Good.

Speaker 1:

Are you good today?

Speaker 2:

Good.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, Stefko is my brother and I felt like I really wanted Stefko to share his testimony with us today. Do you like to listen to your hymns, Stefko?

Speaker 2:

Yes.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, stefko really, really loves to listen to his hymns. Yeah, yeah, a lot Joy to the world, huh. So today I thought Stefko could share with us some of his favorite hymns, because I know that Stefko loves to share his testimony through music. Huh, stefko, yep. So, stefko, which song would you like to listen to first?

Speaker 2:

Secret Prayer.

Speaker 1:

Okay, yep, will you turn to to your hymn book, to secret prayer.

Speaker 2:

There is an hour of peace and rest On what my earthly care Tis when, before the Lord, I go and kneel in secret prayer. May my heart return to prayer, pray and sing day by day. Let this wound in heart not heal. May my day, at this moment of joy, may unite my soul with Him, the straight and narrow way to Him, where angels bright and fair, our singing to God's praises found Through constant secret prayer. May my heart return to them, praying, singing day by day that this birth, this heart, is given. May unite my soul with them when sailing on life's stormy sea In billows of despair, dear solace to my soul to know God hears my secret prayer.

Speaker 2:

May my heart be turned to prayer. Pray in secret, day by day. Let this earth's room to God's glory may unite my soul with prayer. When thorns are strewn along my path and thorns my feet ensnare, my Savior, to my aid will come His sudden secret prayer. May my heart return to prayer, pray in secret, day by day, that this boat to title's portals be. May unite my song with care.

Speaker 1:

How great thou art.

Speaker 2:

No, O Lord my God, when I, in awesome wonder, consider all the worlds thy hands have made. I see the stars. I hear the rolling thunder, sweetly, in the trees. When I look down from the deep mountain ground, I know I hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze. And sings my soul, my Savior, god to thee, how great thou art, how great thou art. And since my soul I say O God to thee, how great thou art, how great thou art. And when I think that God, his Son, not sparing, sent him to die, I scarce can take it in that on the cross, my burden gladly bearing, he bled and died to take away my sin. When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation and take me home, what joy shall fill my heart? Then I shall bow In humble adoration and there proclaim my God, how great Thou art, how great thou art. Then sings my soul, my Saviour, god to thee, how great thou art, how great thou art. Then sings my soul, my Savior, god to thee, how great thou art, how great thou art. The grace of God.

Speaker 1:

The grace of God Awesome. Can you pick one more song that you really, really like? Stefko, count your blessings.

Speaker 2:

That's a steph co classic when, upon life's billows, you are still untouched, when you are discouraged, thinking all is lost. Count your many blessings in His, one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done. Count your blessings in His one by one. Count your blessings in what he has done is. Are you ever burdened with a load of care? Does the cross seem heavy you are not told to bear. Count how many blessings every star shall fly and you will be saving as the days pass by. Count how many blessings in His name are. Mine is blessings.

Speaker 2:

See what God hath done. When you look at others with his hands and gold, think that Christ has promised you his strength untold. Count your many blessings when he's gone and gone. Your reward in heaven. Know you're all I've had. Count your blessings in his Bye, in them one by one. Count your many blessings. Say what God hath done. So one with the comfort, whether brave or small, do not be discouraged now. Use all as you are. Count your many blessings. Angels will attend, help and comfort give you to your journey's end. Count your blessings in each, one by one. Count your blessings. See what God hath done. Count your many blessings in them, one by one.

Speaker 1:

So, as we've been talking and listening to some of these songs, it's been really fun watching Stefko's face and his eyes just light up and him wanting to sing the music as we've been listening to it. I hope, as you all have been listening to these songs as well, that the Spirit has touched you like the Spirit has touched me, and I'm so thankful for music that my brother, who has a hard time communicating, can still share his testimony of Jesus Christ and feel the spirit, and it's been so special to sit here with him and to share some of his favorite songs with you guys. Hey, stefko, is there anything else you'd like to say?

Speaker 2:

Mm-hmm.

Speaker 1:

Stefko, do you want to bear your testimony? The temple yeah, you like to go to the temple and do baptisms huh. Yeah. Do you love Jesus, stefko? Yeah, do you feel the Holy Ghost when you listen to the?

Speaker 2:

hymns yes.

Speaker 1:

Okay, Stefko, thank you so much for talking with me and sharing your testimony with me. I love you.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, thank you.

Speaker 1:

Thanks again for tuning in to More Than Coincidence, Remembering Jesus Christ in your Story. Please follow us on social media or share us with a friend. If you have an experience you'd like to share, feel free to reach out to morethancoincidencerememberhim at gmailcom. I can't wait to hear all of the amazing memories you all have of our Savior. See you next time.