I pray some prayers repeatedly. I often intone them alone. Frequently, however, I voice them in unison with other believers. Even if the idea disturbs you, I suspect that you do the same, and may pray without realizing it. Now that may evoke images of a deranged person babbling nonsense; you may sense resentment building within you. No, I don’t question your sanity You’re singing your prayers, as I often do. Here are first lines of some of my favorite prayers:
“I love you, Lord, and I lift my voice.”
“Be with me, Lord, I cannot live without thee.”
“I am Thine, O Lord; I have heard Thy voice.”
“Lord, you are more precious than silver.”
“Joyful, joyful, we adore thee, God of glory, Lord of love.”
I begin each Call For Fire Seminar session with prayers like these, prayers which express our common faith and our common needs. When we pray them repeatedly over months and years, the concepts within their lyrics become part of us. They influence our walk of faith and may shape our mental picture of God. At this point, I add a word of caution: Be careful what you pray. Do you believe the words of this hymn or praise song? If not, why are you singing so loudly? Yes, these lyrics were written as prayers that expressed the writer’s faith; they survived because they expressed the faith and needs of many others. We may use them for personal encouragement or in corporate worship, but in them, we speak to our God as well as to one another.
What are your favorite (song) prayers?
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