Music for the Soul, a non-profit organization endorsed by the American Association of Christian Counselors, announces the release of their latest musical project, “What Hope Says.”
This new recording project aims to provide solace and hope to those struggling with anxiety, a condition that has seen a significant rise in recent years.
According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, anxiety disorders affect 40 million adults in the United States every year, making it the most common mental illness in the country. The pandemic, social media pressures, and political polarization have only exacerbated these numbers, leading to a mental health crisis that demands attention.
“All our consulting therapists told us that anxiety was the thing they were hearing about the most from their clients,” says Steve Siler, founder of Music for the Soul. “I worked with songwriters Scott Krippayne and Tony Wood to undertake the writing of the 12 new songs. Our 30 years of co-writing collaboration allowed us to dig deeply into the issues involved. As with all our projects, the whole process was undergirded by prayer.”
“What Hope Says” features a diverse array of songs, each arranged to best convey the message of the lyrics, according to Siler. The project begins with “Prayer for the Anxious” which Siler says is a song that captures the essence of the project.
“In the past, it has been our policy to lead off with a song that captures the feeling of being trapped in pain,” says Siler. “I’ve learned that people will not trust you with their hope unless you demonstrate that you understand their pain. However, knowing that all of us experience anxiety at one time or another, I felt that offering this moment of gentle relief, reminding the listener of God’s promise to always be with us no matter what, was an important place to begin.”
Siler also draws attention to the new song “Merciful Jesus,” which is based on a 16th century prayer by St. Teresa of Avila.
