I wonder if Pierce Pettis is the songwriter that I have used most in devotional worship. Particularly in Fitzroy communion services. I have been using God Believes In You and You Did That For Me for some years. On Sunday I added another.
Instrument is the closing song on Pierce’s first record in ten years - Father’s Son. It is that kind of work that we are well used to from the Alabama songwriter, guitarist and humble man of faith. These are literary songs on fascinating subjects with exquisite performances from Doug Lancio on guitar and Stuart Duncan on fiddle.
The last three songs are perhaps the most potently spiritual. More is about mortality, co-written with one of the most respected writers in Christian music today, Andrew Peterson.
Look Over Your Shoulder is the obligatory Mark Heard cover on the new record. Heard produced Pettis’s debut and then passed away far too young. Pettis was so influenced by Heard that he committed to putting a Heard song on every album he would make. Look Over Your Shoulder is one of those subtle, deep and mysterious songs of dense theology that Mark Heard seems prolific in.
Instrument though is a special kind of song. At least for me. Music is my spiritual medium. Songs speak to me and I use them to reflect, to listen, to pray and to commit.
Pierce has never worked in the Christian music industry but the spiritual depth of his work is second to none.
Instrument is a grab you by the throat of your spiritual pilgrimage in the gentlest of ways.
Let me be an instrument of your peace
Let me be a tool in your hand
Crooked and warped though I might be
Let me do some good here while I can
If I still had my radio show this song would blend beautifully into the Prayer of St. Francis, Make A Channel of Your Peace perhaps the Sinead O’Connor version or Sarah McLachlan’s. They very obviously link and Pierce dedicates the song to Denis Grady a secular member of the Order Of St Francis who has a penchant for music.
Denis Grady says of the prayer, “We say the Prayer of St. Francis daily—it’s really challenging when difficulties come up on our path. ‘Where there is hatred, let me sow love.’ I believe this is impossible for one to do alone, but with God it is possible.”
You can see where Pierce would get inspired. His song goes on:
Let me be a vessel for your grace
Let me the first one to forgive
Though the world may curse me to my face
Let me learn to bear it like you did
This is a deep study in following Jesus in five short verses. It has a wonderful altar call ending:
Make me faithful, make me grateful
Make me useful in this life
All this living without giving
Give me one more chance to try
It is potent stuff! What I love about Pierce’s songs is that the depth of his spirituality is never ethereal but always plugged into every day practice of ordinary living.
Instrument will be a song that I will use regularly in personal devotionals and also in Fitzroy in communal worship. It is a spiritual classic both as song and as Christian teaching. A rarity in its creation. Let us pray that it doesn’t not end up rare in its use.