What inspires me about this song is that no matter what period of time you are born into, there is that inner calling to find something better; the need to embrace faith and God.  The author of this song was a troubled young man, searching for discipline and self control but it was a difficult endeavor since he worked the slave trade for the Royal Navy. The issues of his time period were just as misguiding as they are today. 

"I once was lost, but now I'm found, was blind but now i see."  Words that will continue forever; words that relate to everyone of us.  But how many of us in our lifetime ever truly see?  Most of us will live with the shackles and chains tied to our chest , believing the keys to unlock them will not be found during our lives.  The gift of God is in you, the key to freedom is in your soul but we allow outside interference to confuse and mislead us from breaking these chains.  It is a continuing pattern throughout our lifetimes that is only cured when we start to believe and find faith that eventually quiets the mind and heals the soul. To those of you who are lost and carry a heavy burden i leave you a prayer that i hope helps you find your way home.

                                Lord, Settle My Soul 

O lord, this is my desire....to walk along the path of life that Thou hast appointed me, even as Jesus my Lord would walk along it, in steadfastness of faith, meekness of spirit, in lowliness of heart, in gentleness of love.  And because outward events have so much power in scattering my thoughts and disturbing the inward peace in which alone the voice of Thy spirit is heard, do Thou, gracious Lord, calm and settle my soul by that subduing power which alone can bring al thoughts and desrires of the heart into captivity to Thyself.  All I have is Thine; do Thou with all as seems best to Thy divine will; for I know not what is best.  Let not the care or duties of this life press on me too heavily; but lighten my burden, that I may folow Thy way in quietness, filled with thankfulness for Thy mercy, and rendering acceptable services unto Thee.

                                                 -Maria Hare (1798-1870)