The Imperials - I Need To Feel Your Touch Again Lyrics
Lyrics
When I awoke this morning to start another day
I didn't even feel the need to pray
I started past the table where Your Word neglected lay
I picked it up and blew the dust away
Lord I need to feel Your touch again
I need to be assured You're still my friend
I need to know the power in your blood that cleanses sin
And Lord I need to feel your touch again
My days have been so busy ? too many things to do
There seems to be so little time to talk to You
My heart is cold and calloused and my fellowship is few
But I know how much I need you Lord, I really do
Lord I need to feel Your touch again
I need to be assured You're still my friend
I need to know the power in your blood that cleanses sin
And Lord I need to feel your touch again
Take me back into your arms and teach me to be strong
Fill me with yourself so I won't stay away so long
Lord I need to feel Your touch again
I need to be assured You're still my friend
I need to know the power in your blood that cleanses sin
And Lord I need to feel your touch again
And I need to be assured You're still my friend
I need to know the power in your blood that cleanses all my sin
And Lord I need to feel your touch ? let me feel your gentle touch
Lord I need to feel your touch again
Video
I Need to Feel Your Touch Again
Meaning & Inspiration
Released on January 1, 1983, as part of their album *Side By Side*, The Imperials’ "I Need To Feel Your Touch Again" stands as a powerful testament to the universal human experience of spiritual ebb and flow. This song delves into the often-unspoken reality of a believer's journey, articulating a profound yearning for renewed intimacy with God after a period of unintended distance. It’s a raw, honest confession that resonates deeply, painting a vivid picture of someone recognizing their spiritual drift and humbly seeking restoration.
The narrative unfolds from a place of stark realization: waking up without the spontaneous urge to pray, a subtle but telling indicator of spiritual detachment. The image of passing by a neglected Bible, then picking it up to "blow the dust away," perfectly encapsulates the gradual slide into spiritual apathy that can affect anyone. This opening sequence immediately establishes the song's relatable core, depicting how the vibrancy of faith can dull when not actively nurtured. It speaks to a common struggle where the demands and distractions of daily life subtly erode spiritual disciplines, leaving one feeling disconnected and adrift. This state mirrors warnings found in Scripture about the deceitfulness of sin and the importance of daily encouragement, as seen in Hebrews 3:12-13, urging us to "take care... lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God."
The core plea of the song, repeated with increasing urgency, is a multi-faceted cry for divine engagement. "Lord I need to feel Your touch again" expresses a deep desire for a palpable sense of God’s presence, an experience of His closeness that transcends mere intellectual assent. It’s a longing for the personal, comforting, and guiding interaction that defines a vibrant spiritual walk, echoing the Psalmist’s cry, "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore" (Psalm 16:11). Coupled with this is the need to be "assured You're still my friend," addressing the spiritual insecurity that can accompany periods of neglect. When we feel distant, it's natural to question the steadfastness of even a divine relationship, yet God's nature is one of unwavering faithfulness and friendship to those who draw near, as Jesus Himself declared, "No longer do I call you servants... but I have called you friends" (John 15:15). Crucially, the song emphasizes the need to "know the power in your blood that cleanses sin." This highlights the foundational truth of the Gospel – that despite any spiritual wandering or sin, forgiveness and cleansing are always available through Christ’s sacrifice, a constant assurance beautifully articulated in 1 John 1:7: "the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin."
The song further unpacks the reasons behind this spiritual declension, admitting, "My days have been so busy – too many things to do / There seems to be so little time to talk to You." This confession resonates with the modern dilemma of prioritizing temporal tasks over eternal communion. It speaks to the Martha syndrome, where the anxieties and demands of daily living overshadow the "one thing necessary" of sitting at Jesus’ feet (Luke 10:38-42). The consequence of this busyness is a "cold and calloused" heart and diminishing fellowship, both with God and, implicitly, with fellow believers. A heart that has become hardened by neglect needs divine intervention to soften and revive, much like the promise in Ezekiel 36:26: "I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you." The recognition, "But I know how much I need you Lord, I really do," signifies a vital turning point – the intellectual acknowledgment of need transforming into genuine desire.
The bridge offers a heartfelt prayer for total restoration: "Take me back into Your arms and teach me to be strong / Fill me with yourself so I won't stay away so long." This evokes the tender imagery of the prodigal son returning to a waiting, embracing father (Luke 15), a powerful metaphor for God’s ever-present readiness to receive us back. It’s not merely a request for forgiveness but for empowerment, a plea for God to instill strength and fill the emptiness that led to the initial drift. Being "filled with yourself" points to the Holy Spirit's work, enabling believers to walk in renewed purpose and stay connected, as Ephesians 5:18 exhorts us to "be filled with the Spirit." The concluding repetition of the chorus deepens its urgency, adding a direct, intimate plea: "Let me feel your gentle touch." This final iteration leaves the individual, and implicitly the audience, in a posture of humble, hopeful anticipation of God's grace and restoring presence.
"I Need To Feel Your Touch Again" stands as a profound spiritual reflection, offering encouragement and a pathway for all who find themselves in a similar place of distance from God. It’s a powerful reminder that spiritual dryness is a common human experience, but God's arms are always open, His blood always cleanses, and His friendship is always assured for those who sincerely seek Him. The song’s enduring appeal lies in its unwavering honesty and its firm grounding in the timeless truths of repentance, grace, and the persistent love of God, affirming that even when we stray, the path back to His presence is always available.