Musical prayers
One of my favorite sayings….”There is nothing in the world that so resembles prayer, as music.” Since the beginning of the church, and even within the traditions of the Jewish faith, music has always been a part of “service”, a congregational gathering. When we get together to talk about and learn about God, music is part of what we do. There is a special connection when we sing about, and to, God. And our songs really are, and should be, our prayers. We have musical prayers (no attempt was made to play on the “musical chairs” rhyme. I’m not that clever. It Just came out that way). I am very particular when picking music for a Sunday service. They need to be songs that are basically prayers. Songs of intercession. Songs of repentance. Songs of declaration. Often people will say to me, “Hey I heard this song. It’s awesome. We should do it on Sunday morning.” I will listen to it and say, “Yup, great song. Nope, not for Sunday worship.” If it’s topical or reflecting on something that really would not be prayed, I won’t do it. It may be the musical mindset I have. I can’t imagine King David, musician as he was, considering a prayer, without humming a tune along with it. Likely why many of his psalms have a notation, “given to the chief musician”, with the intent on having music put to the words. Its just natural. So the point is I suppose, when you pray, sing. And when you sing, pray. If we think that way, I believe it will take our music, and our prayers , to a higher level, or a deeper depth.
