Both It Is Well with My Soul and I Can Only Imagine (2018) are faith-based projects centered around the creation of iconic Christian songs, emphasizing themes of personal tragedy, redemption, and spiritual hope.
Inspiration from Personal Tragedy
I Can Only Imagine tells the true story of Bart Millard, lead singer of MercyMe, who wrote the song inspired by his abusive childhood and his father’s terminal illness and subsequent redemption through faith. The song reflects his journey of forgiveness and imagining his father’s experience in heaven.
It Is Well with My Soul is based on Horatio Spafford’s hymn, written after profound personal losses, including the Great Chicago Fire and the tragic death of his daughters at sea. The hymn captures Spafford’s faith and peace amidst grief, focusing on eternal hope and divine comfort.
Focus on Iconic Christian Songs
Both projects revolve around the origin stories of songs that have become anthems in Christian music. I Can Only Imagine is the best-selling Christian single of all time, resonating with audiences for its message of hope and forgiveness. Similarly, It Is Well with My Soul is described as one of the most beloved hymns, symbolizing peace in the face of trials, with over half a BILLION streams on Spotify and YouTube.
I Can Only Imagine‘s narrative highlights forgiveness and reconciliation, particularly between Bart and his abusive father, who finds faith before his death. The film emphasizes how faith transforms relationships and inspires creative expression. It Is Well with My Soul’s story underscores faith triumphing over grief, with the hymn reflecting his assurance in God’s promises despite devastating losses. The project also notes the Spaffords’ continued service to God, founding a community program in Jerusalem.
Present and Future Plans
One of the millions touched by It Is Well with My Soul is Australian David Maegraith — a multifaceted creative, publisher, and producer whose work spans media, music, and film. In 2009, he co-founded Eternity, a national newspaper, and has since spearheaded an array of innovative projects. Among these is It Is Well with My Soul, which now encompasses an official website, a novella, and a planned feature film adaptation. David is also producing Messiah Film, a sweeping outdoor reimagining of Handel’s Messiah performed by choirs across the globe.
David’s primary focus for the coming years is overseeing a series of creative expressions inspired by the story of It Is Well with My Soul. He has already published a novella retelling the events, as well as a musical songbook that will form the foundation of a stage musical set to premiere at the Adelaide Fringe — the world’s second largest fringe festival — in 2026.
A feature film adaptation is also in development, with the script nearing completion and funding and production partners being sought. Alongside the film, David plans to publish both a companion book based on the screenplay and a new work told from the perspective of Horatio Spafford’s wife, Anna — a voice often overlooked in the traditional retelling of the hymn’s origin.
For updates on these projects, check back to this site regularly. For questions or enquiries, email us studio -at- itiswellwithmysoul.com