All I Need

Brian Courtney Wilson's “All I Need” is a gospel prayer for the touch of God. It begins as “a real simple prayer”: “All I need is a touch from You, no one else can do the things You do. Take the wrong in my life and make it right.” The repeated line “Lord, I'm standing in the need of prayer” echoes the old spiritual and ties the song to a long tradition.

The chorus is built on the promise of what a touch can change. “If You touch me, I'll change my loss to win,” and “You'll take the wrong and make it right.” The singer describes being worn out and filled with doubts about tomorrow, remembering yesterday's pain and mistakes, and not believing he could be cleaned up. Yet he says, “Somehow I believe tonight that if You put Your healing hands on me, every one of my sins will be washed away.” He asks for healing, peace and joy, and for himself to be “made over.” The song ends with an invitation: “Don't be afraid, join me at the altar. God is here, love is here.” It is meant for a moment of ministry in a service, with room for the choir and congregation to respond.

The woman who touched the hem of his garment is in Mark 5:27-29. Being lifted from the pit is Psalm 40:2, and healing through his wounds is Isaiah 53:5.