Article: MUSIC AS PRAYER

Many people ask me, “How can you pray while you are singing?” I think the answer lies in the intent of the person singing. Praying through song can be an extremely powerful form of prayer. But like any form of prayer, it takes practice. If a person is focused on the scripture, prayer-text or church doctrine the text of a song expresses, then the person begins to internalize the message, God’s message, and meditate on the meanings behind the words…the import of the prayer. They open themselves to God’s Spirit moving in the music and in their being. Music is one of the few documented activities that engage both sides of your brain simultaneously, so when we pray through music we are literally “giving it our all.”
 
We live in a time when music is seen as a form of entertainment. Our ears are bombarded with music in our cars, on television, in stores…even in elevators. We have become almost disenfranchised by music. We are trained to only listen to the music and not be actively involved in the music. Yet, through history, this is not the norm. In ancient times, prayer was always sung…and still is in many parts of the world. If someone were to go to a Jewish Temple, first they would notice how much of our liturgy grew out of Jesus’ faith-tradition, but then they would notice how much of the liturgy is sung. And most of that music is communal in some form. Not only are you sending your prayers to God, you are doing so WITH your community. “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I.” (Matthew 18:20)
Just think about how many times “song” or “music” is mentioned in the Bible. It even becomes more personal when we think about the air we breathe…in and out….as we sing our praises. We are sharing the air, becoming the wind, the Ruah, becoming “One Body” in the prayer, in the Song of God. As it says in the song, “Oh Breathe on Me, Oh Breath of God.”
 
The tradition of liturgical music in our church started with chant. But as time has evolved, so has our music.  Throughout the last 800 years, more and more modern music has been incorporated into our liturgies and our prayers. Here at OUR LADY QUEEN OF HEAVEN, we try to pick music that is very eclectic in style so that every person participating in our communal musical prayer has at least one song that truly “speaks” their prayer. The song literature is also scripturally based, supporting the prescribed readings of the day…working to lead the community toward the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. And here, we have many different opportunities for those who feel called to share their gifts with the community. We have 4 different choirs that practice and song lead at different liturgies for your convenience. The choirs are listed on the church web site with the times and days of rehearsal. Remember, God gave you the voice, he already knows what it sounds like…he just wants you to give it back to him…in prayer and praise.