JANUARY 2024 D


utch theologian and hymn writer Huub Oosterhuis (1933–2023) reminds us: “Singing is becoming part of a greater whole, joining


in, agreeing with many other people, using words which you cannot make true if you sing them alone, but you can only venture to sing along with others.”1 Common song draws us together. Singing as prayer has the power to open us to the possibility of deeper transformation in Christ.


Music is the compelling Christian art, matched only by the visual glory of icons and architecture. Just as an icon can be a doorway to the sacred, music can be a pathway to deeper prayer. Te power of music to convey prayer to those who listen can also inspire a deeper experience of prayer in those who sing. Te members of our music ministry—choir and ensemble singers, cantors, and instrumentalists—know this. I think that most of them intuitively connect music- making, mostly song, with prayer and experience it as prayer!


Prayer both sustains and animates our life in God. Prayer is about presence and relationship. Prayer opens us to the continual call and presence of Christ. Prayer and song are like seeds planted in good soil, readying our hearts and bodies to both hear and live out the Gospel.


Like other baptized members of the assembly, pastoral musicians need to hear the Gospel, experience conversion, profess faith in Christ, and so proclaim the praise of God.


Tey are ministers who share the faith, serve the community, and express the love of God and neighbor through music.2


I think that within music ministry, our singers and instrumentalists are looking to us, their directors, for leadership in prayer. I think many of them expect us to be strong leaders of prayer. Tis requires us as directors and leaders to attend to our own spiritual lives and our ongoing discipleship by becoming familiar with a variety of prayer forms and practices. Our weekly rehearsal times allow for the rehearsing and practice of prayer. Trough sharing the fruits of our practice of prayer, pastoral musicians who serve as directors can foster, enhance, and strengthen the spiritual life of the musicians who gather each week to make music in praise of God, leading and animating the assembly in sung prayer. All of us are “on” to be leaders of prayer.


We are called to pray always. Tis entails expanding our notion of prayer and presence. Indeed, every breath we breathe is a prayer.


Growing a repertoire of prayer songs as part of


the weekly rehearsal As a means of connecting music with prayer, I encourage directors of choirs and ensembles to develop a repertoire of short, memorable songs that can become or encircle the prayer experience. As you create and cultivate your list, be sure to include songs that “sing” particular liturgical seasons. Tese, of course, can be from the common repertoire of your parish community. Tese songs could be as simple as a Taizé chant or a song that celebrates God through music. Metrical hymns and songs are also fine, but shorter songs allow for spontaneity in the prayer experience. For example:


“Take, O Take Me as I Am” (John Bell, Iona Community)


“ In the Lord, I’ll Be Ever Tankful” (Taizé Community) - English, Spanish


“Bless the Lord” (Taizé Community) - English, Spanish “Jesus, Remember Me” (Taizé Community) for Lent “Over My Head” (African American Spiritual) “Jubilate Deo” (canon by Praetorius) “Dona Nobis Pacem” (canon) and other chants for peace


“ Lord Jesus Christ, Lover of All” (John Bell, Iona Community) – a healing chant


“ Freedom is Coming” (South African Freedom Song) for Advent


“ We are Marching/Siyahamba” (South African) – a song of praise and light


When to pray . . . where to pray • At the start of rehearsal


• At the end of rehearsal • Before a liturgy • Pray the seasons of the liturgical year


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