Biography:
Talbot was born into a Methodist family with a musical background in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and started learning to play the guitar at an early age. At age 15 he dropped out of school and was performing as a guitarist for Mason Proffit, a country folk-rock band formed with his older brother Terry.
Talbot embarked on a spiritual journey that led him through Native American religion and Buddhism to Christianity. At this point he and his brother, Terry, joined the Jesus Movement, recording the album Reborn which was re-released by Sparrow Records (originally released as The Talbot Brothers on the Warner Brothers label).
Two solo albums followed for Talbot: John Michael Talbot (1976) and The New Earth (1977). Both of these were produced by Billy Ray Hearn.
Reading the life of Saint Francis of Assisi, he was inspired to begin studying at a Franciscan center in Indianapolis. He became a Roman Catholic and joined the Secular Franciscan Order in 1978. He started a house of prayer, The Little Portion.
Talbot moved The Little Portion to Eureka Springs, Arkansas on land he had purchased during his Mason Proffit days. He founded his own community, the Brothers and Sisters of Charity, at Little Portion Hermitage as an "integrated monastic community" with celibate brothers and sisters, singles, and families. By 1989, Talbot had married Viola Pratka (with the permission of the Catholic Church). Pratka was a former Incarnate Word Sister who had come to the community in 1986.
Per the community's General Constitutions, Talbot's title is "General Minister and Spiritual Father". For many years, he has promoted the work of Mercy Corps.
The hermitage suffered a fire in April 2008 in which the chapel, library and many common areas were destroyed.
On April 10, 2010 the Bishop of Little Rock, Anthony Taylor, dedicated the new buildings. On October 2, 2010 the Brothers and Sisters of Charity at Little Portion Hermitage celebrated the opening of the new monastery church and common center.
Let Us Adore The Lord
John Michael Talbot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I now entreat you
Put away all your cares
And be free of every possession
Coming feely to love and to serve
And to honor the Lord
Let us adore the Lord
Let us adore the Lord
Our God
For He is the Lord God Almighty
For the indwelling Father
And the Son and the Spirit we pray
We should keep for Him always a dwelling place
Within our soul
Where the Lord always can stay
Let us adore the Lord
With a pure heart and mind
Let us adore the Lord
Our God
And let us adore the Lord
With a pure heart and mind
Let us adore the Lord
Our God
So let us abide as the people of Jesus
Holding fast to His life
Holding fast to His worlds
Holding fast to the love of the Good Shepherd
We must never lose heart
For His love has overcome all the world
So let us adore the Lord
With a pure heart and mind
Let us adore the Lord
Our God
And let us adore the Lord
With a pure heart and mind
Let us adore the Lord
Our God
In this song, John Michael Talbot invites the listener to put away all their worries and possessions, and to come freely to love and serve the Lord. The first stanza reminds us that love comes from God, and that we should honor Him through adoration. Talbot then invites us to adore the Lord with a pure heart and mind, emphasizing the importance of purity in worship. The second stanza is a declaration of the Lord's greatness, acknowledging Him as the almighty God and praying to the Father, Son, and Spirit. Talbot urges us to keep a dwelling place for Him in our soul, so that the Lord may always remain with us. The theme of adoration is repeated once more, as Talbot encourages us to hold fast to Jesus' life and love, and to never lose heart, as His love has overcome the world.
Overall, the song Let Us Adore The Lord is a call to worship and to honor God through adoration. Talbot emphasizes the importance of purity, reminding us that worship should come from a pure heart and mind. The lyrics also recognize the greatness of God and the importance of keeping a place for Him in our lives, so that we may always be in His presence. Ultimately, the song is an invitation to come freely to love and to serve, and to abide as the people of Jesus.
Line by Line Meaning
In the love come from God
Acknowledging that all love ultimately comes from God
I now entreat you
Asking the listener to pay attention and join in worship
Put away all your cares
Encouraging the audience to let go of their worries and focus on the Lord
And be free of every possession
Letting go of material possessions to be free to worship God
Coming feely to love and to serve
Offering oneself to God freely, out of love and gratitude
And to honor the Lord
Recognizing God as deserving of our utmost respect and devotion
Let us adore the Lord
Inviting the congregation to worship and honor God
With a pure heart and mind
Emphasizing the need for sincerity and genuineness in worship
Our God
Acknowledging God as our Lord and Savior
For He is the Lord God Almighty
Recognizing God's divine power and sovereignty
For the indwelling Father
Acknowledging God the Father's presence within us
And the Son and the Spirit we pray
Asking for the continuous presence and guidance of the Holy Trinity in our lives
We should keep for Him always a dwelling place
Making space in our hearts for God to reside
Within our soul
Recognizing that our soul is where we connect with God
Where the Lord always can stay
Inviting the Lord to remain a permanent resident in our hearts
So let us abide as the people of Jesus
Committing to remain faithful followers of Jesus
Holding fast to His life
Holding onto the teachings and example of Jesus
Holding fast to His worlds
Holding onto the truth and wisdom of Jesus' words
Holding fast to the love of the Good Shepherd
Holding onto the love and compassion of Jesus, who cares for and guides us
We must never lose heart
Encouraging endurance and perseverance in our faith
For His love has overcome all the world
Celebrating the power of God's love in triumphing over all evil and obstacles
Contributed by Isaac L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.