Music trivia lovers often talk about one hit wonders. These are songwriters or singers who had only one breakthrough song in their careers. People with similar mileage on their life odometer to mine will remember the catchy and annoying song 96 Tears by ? and the Mysterians. Songwriter Rudy Martinez attempted to change his legal name to the question mark symbol but the government agencies rejected that. He had to settle for the name Question Mark. Imagine that scenario later in life.

“Order for….(long pause)….Question Mark????”

Perhaps the most unlikely candidate to be a one hit wonder songwriter is a Bishop who lived over 700 years ago. 

A chart topping hit in the 70’s came from a prayer by Richard de Wych who happened to be the Bishop of Chichester. King Henry III refused him the land he was entitled to because the King wanted a different person in that role. The Bishop of Chicester traveled around his diocese penniless and on foot. Eventually his rights were restored but he still chose to live an ascetic and simple life. 

Legend has it that this was his dying prayer in 1253. 

Thanks be to you, our Lord Jesus Christ, for all the benefits which you have given us, for all the pains and insults which you have borne for us. Most merciful Redeemer, Friend and Brother, may we know you more clearly, love you more dearly, and follow you more nearly, day by day. 

Amen.

Fast forward 718 years and that prayer would become the basis of a hit song in a Broadway show. As a young believer I loved the song Day by Day from the musical Godspell. The lyrics were simple and moving. 

Day by day
Day by day
Oh Dear Lord
Three things I pray
To see thee more clearly
Love thee more dearly
Follow thee more nearly
Day by day

I had no idea that the lyricist was a Medieval Bishop. I love that this simple prayer is completely relevant today. These three things I need to pray day by day as well.

To See God more clearly.

God is present every moment. I need to follow the wisdom of the Psalms. 

Be still and know that I am God. (Psalm 46:10)

Through His Word I can see God more clearly. But I need quietness and the leading of the Holy Spirit so I can see Him more clearly. Through the beauty of His Creation I can see Him more clearly. To see God more clearly requires humble presence with Him.

To Love God more dearly.

Loving God more dearly begins with praise for who God is and not what my circumstances are at the moment. 

Your unfailing love is better than life itself;
    how I praise you!
I will praise you as long as I live,
    lifting up my hands to you in prayer. (Psalm 63:3-4, NLT)

I can love God more dearly when I focus on the outrageous gift of grace given to me. When I think about His forgiveness of my sins past, present, and future. When I stop to be grateful for His love and the promise of eternity. And when I experience the peace that only the Spirit of God can give in troubled times.

To Follow God more nearly.

Jesus didn’t say to figure Him out. He said, “follow me”. When we seek to know God more clearly and love Him more dearly it becomes an exercise of joy follow Him more nearly. Along the way the Spirit gently refines and matures us as we faithfully follow Him. It is a slow, patient, and loving process that God initiates to grow us to be more like Jesus.

I had a long way to go in my spiritual maturity back in the 70’s when I first heard this song. Today I am still working on the three prayers the Bishop of Chichester offered centuries ago. He may have been a one-hit wonder musically but the truth of that prayer will be a hit for all of eternity. I want to live these three prayers day by day.