Practical Prayer: Praying with Music

Psalm 95:1 tell us, “O come let us sing unto the Lord, let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.”  Psalm 98:4 further tells us to not only to make a joyful noise but a loud noise and to rejoice and sing praise.  

Music is powerful. It is spirit-filled, energetic, and at times intense. Gospel music, in particular, breathes life into its listeners, offering refreshment, encouragement, consolation, and sustenance. Music enhances the individual experience by ministering to the soul of the individual. The Lead Me Guide Me Hymnal explains that sacred song is holistic.  The hymnal says, “It challenges the individual to a full engagement of mind, memory, feeling, emotion, and body. It is participatory because is invites the worshipping community to join in contemplation, in celebration and in prayer.”

In the communal setting, the power of music becomes even more evident. You might notice the whole congregation rejoicing, with hands clapping and waving, feet tapping, voices shouting saying “amen,” There’s an undeniable sense of participation and connection, where smiles, shouts, and even tears become expressions of praise. Music is just that powerful. It can bring up memories of gratitude, prompting an overwhelming feeling that leads you to praise Him in the middle of a song.

It is through music ministry that St. Luke’s parish grew. The choir was the evangelization tool used to bring back those who had left the church due to past hurt, church being closed, and those who did not feel welcomed. The music drew them back to St. Luke where they are fed through the Holy Eucharist and through God’s word in Sacred Scripture.

I have been a member of the St. Luke’s choir since 1987- 37 years. The two male parishioners whom I thought I had convinced to join the choir then challenged me to join choir also.  Reflecting on this brings me joy because I know they were part of God’s plan for me. I accepted the challenge and showed up, and there they were smiling waiting outside the church for me. When I asked why they were not inside they replied, “We were waiting for you.  If you would not have shown, we were going home.”  I literally burst into laughter. We walked into the church together, and the rest is history. The organist and Mr. Ellis, the choir president, submitted my name to our priest to direct the choir since I was the only one in the choir who had musical knowledge (I had taken piano lessons as well as organ lessons and had been a member of a school band until graduating). They believed since I assisted the members in learning their parts, I was the ideal person for the job. Today I am grateful for the love of music and for serving as choir director since 1990.

We pray before and after each rehearsal, invoking the Holy Spirit to use us and in thanksgiving for time together. We let the Spirit fill and lift us as we lift up the name of Jesus. When we sing, know that the music not only ministers to those in the congregation but to us as well; therefore, you may see someone in the choir lift and wave their hand, begin crying, continuously smiling, or clapping their hands. This witness is the Lord having His way with our spontaneous response to the music that we are singing.

The songs are selected after praying, reading the Holy Scripture associated for Mass that day, and asking the Holy Spirit to lead. I believe all sacred, holy music be it gospel, spiritual, or traditional song is conducive to prayer. Your prayer life coupled with life experiences help propel you to a higher calling.

I tell the choir, “If we bring nothing, we get nothing.  So, we must bring a willing spirit to let God use us.”   Jude 1:20 – 21 says, “But you dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of your Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.” Our destination is to have eternal life with God, so we continue building our faith and invoking the Holy Spirit to fill us and use us to do the work in building God’s kingdom through our prayer in song.

I believe that Gospel music is transformative. It speaks to individuals as much as it lifts the person or Church to a higher level of worship through praise. The Lead Me Guide Me Hymnal explains that “It lifts the church people to a higher understanding, feeling, motivation and participation.”  I remember a night at choir rehearsal years ago where the singing, clapping and praise would not stop. That choir rehearsal went on for four hours. Members were brought to tears of joy and rejoicing.  The Spirit was present and transformed our experience from just a rehearsal to a prayer service of thanksgiving and praise. This same level of worship and praise can be witnessed on any given Sunday in the Mass. By God’s grace, those that visit St. Luke say that they can feel the Spirit and sense something different about their visit from the minute they open the door.

I personally listen to Gospel/sacred music every day. I wake every morning with a scripture reading, devotion, and prayer with a song in my heart. I believe we all have that one song that stays in our hearts. Every Sunday morning you can hear music playing and voices ringing out in song in my home. This is my preparation for entering God’s sanctuary. I ask Him to prepare me to be His sanctuary – ready to hear His word, lift up praise, receive His Holy Body, and give Him that authentic praise of thanksgiving as I witness in Spirit and in Truth.

 

This Easter, start with a prayer and invite the Spirit to come and fill you, to use you. Then, be attune to what the Spirit gives you-- a word, a phrase, or a scripture. Read it and mediate. Then begin even if it is just a song of thanks, for example, “Thank you Lord.” Even a simple song of prayer can lift you and bring you into a deeper encounter with the Holy Spirit. I love to listen to music as I meditate and trust and know that God will provide everything I need to be fully submerged to receive His spirit. Singing your prayer can only deepen your encounter.