Way back in the 70s I bought a Blind Faith album. I was a big fan of Cream, and especially Eric Clapton. On it Clapton wrote and sang a song called "In the Presence of the Lord." The lyrics said:
I have finally found a place to live
Just like I never could beforeAnd I know I don't have much to give
But soon I'll open any door.Everybody knows the secret
Everybody knows the scoreI have finally found a place to live
In the presence of the Lord.When I was touring the Midwest singing and performing with Linda there was a time when I included this song in a set.
This February Clapton reunited with Blind Faith's Steve Winwood for a series of concerts. In a recent CT article Clapton talks about his release from drug abuse. And the role prayer played. He says:
"I was in complete despair," Clapton wrote. "In the privacy of my room, I begged for help. I had no notion who I thought I was talking to, I just knew that I had come to the end of my tether … and, getting down on my knees, I surrendered. Within a few days I realized that … I had found a place to turn to, a place I'd always known was there but never really wanted, or needed, to believe in. From that day until this, I have never failed to pray in the morning, on my knees, asking for help, and at night, to express gratitude for my life and, most of all, for my sobriety. I choose to kneel because I feel I need to humble myself when I pray, and with my ego, this is the most I can do. If you are asking why I do all this, I will tell you … because it works, as simple as that."
