I AM WITH YOU

"I Am With You" is a gentle, deeply comforting Communion hymn by Festus Nkwoka that speaks directly to the congregation in the voice of Christ. Subtitled "Sweet Assurance," the piece is built around the scriptural promises of God's enduring presence. As the choir sings the opening lines—reminding us that those who seek will find, and those who knock will have the door opened—it sets a tone of quiet confidence that carries through the entire piece.

During the Communion procession, this song serves as a poignant reminder of the Eucharistic promise. The second verse explicitly calls the faithful to the altar with the words, "Eat my body given to you, drink my blood and thirst no more." Nkwoka arranges the verses to feature different sections of the choir, starting with the female voices in the first verse and the male voices in the second, before bringing everyone together to sing the reassuring refrain.

What makes this hymn so moving for a congregation is its unwavering message of accompaniment. Whether we are walking through "barren lands" or facing "death's valley," the lyrics remind us not to despair. It is a wonderful choice for the Communion rite, offering the faithful a moment of profound peace and a reminder that Christ walks with them always, right to the end of time.