Prevenient Grace

“Desert Pete,” written by the members of the Sixties’ folk group The Kingston Trio, has a serious message for those Christians who still believe that grace must be earned by good works. “Prevenient grace,” the grace showered upon us from God regardles of whether we deserve it, is promised to all of us. The Methodist Hymnal has an entire section of songs under the subtitle of Prevenient Grace. These songs tell us that “Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling” or say “Just As I Am Without One Plea.”

The message from “Desert Pete” goes one step further. It says that we must have faith that grace will come to us, even if there are no guarantees. The cowboy in this story must have known that grace, just like cool refreshing water, comes from the Lord without end and without cost. Thank you kindly, Desert Pete.

— Myron Hanke

TODAY: Sing along to the words and music of Nick Reynolds, Bob Shane & Bob Stewart, who wrote “Desert Pete”:

I was traveling west of Pecos on my way to a cattle run,
‘cross a little cactus desert under a hot blistering sun.
I was thirsty down to my toenails, stopped to rest me on a stump,
But I tell you I just couldn’t believe it when I saw that water pump.

I took it to be a mirage at first, it’ll fool a thirsty man
Then I saw a note stuck in a baking powder can.
“This pump is old,” the note began, “but she works so give her a try.
I put a new sucker washer in her, you may find another dry.”

Chorus:
“You’ve got to prime the pump, you must have faith and believe.
You have to give of yourself before you’re worthy to receive.
Drink all the water you can hold, wash your face, cool your feet,
But leave a bottle full for others. Thank you kindly, Desert Pete.”

Well, I found that jar, and I tell you, nothing was ever prettier to my eye
And I was tempted strong to drink it ‘cause that pump looked mighty dry.
But the note went on, “Have faith, my friend, there’s water down below.
You’ve got to give until you get. I’m the one who ought to know.”

So I poured in the jar and started pumping, and I heard a beautiful sound,
Of water bubbling and splashing out of that hole in the ground.
I took off my shoes and I drunk my fill of that cool refreshing treat
I thank the Lord, I thank the pump and I thank old Desert Pete.