04/23/2024
This morning let’s delve into praising God and the presence of our praise in prayer. Pastor E.M. Bounds called this "Spiritual Singing". He even recognized people with little ability to sing when he said "Spiritual singing is not done by musical taste or talent, but by the grace of God in your heart." We are encouraged in scripture to address one another, and God, in song, but are we doing this? If not is it because we are judging one another’s ability to sing and thus discouraging another’s prayer life? Singing on a stage is one thing, but singing on our knees to the Lord is totally different and criticism there can be considered shaming someone who is seeking God’s presence.
“Let not those who hope in you be put to shame through me, O Lord God of hosts; let not those who seek you be brought to dishonor through me, O God of Israel.”
Psalm 69:6 ESV
“Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,”
Ephesians 5:19 ESV
I think of times when I was praying and song just came to me. I recall moments when praising God that poetry filled my mind. I glory in those occasions when I have been praying in the spirit and suddenly a melody infused my words... Sometimes a chant, sometimes a song, sometimes just humming or moaning, but a song nonetheless. From deep within us artesian wells of song spring forth from our very souls when we are consumed by our faithfulness.
Bounds also speaks of the singing of angels when he says "The angels and glorified ones in heaven do not need choirs to chime in with their heavenly praise and worship..... Their singing involuntarily breaks forth from the heart." Song is born in us too; it has been there from the moment of our creation, and before. Jesus said so much in scripture when the Pharisees asked Him to quiet the praising of His followers and He replied...
“I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out."”
Luke 19:40 ESV
Prayer, praise, and song; they well up from within us and burst out in glory to God. There have been days when I have been driving to work and my mind started wandering, and suddenly I exclaimed "Jesus" and as I did, every hair stood on my arms and tears welled up in my eyes as I began to sing His name over and over. Praising our Savior in song doesn't require well-constructed lyrics, or symphony orchestras... Sometimes it is just a single word... Sung from the heart.
“Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth! Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day.”
Psalm 96:1-2 ESV
Before you pray today try singing a simple song that you learned as a child... Jesus Loves Me, This Is the Day the Lord Has Made, or We Are Climbing Jacob's Ladder; sing them until they are coming from your heart and then begin your prayers. God will meet you there as the words and melody flow from your heart and soul. Our gift is song, and His gift to us is His presence. No incredible rendition of Ava Maria or Handel’s Messiah is required... Just simple praise from an overflowing heart.
https://youtu.be/KXrC_uzsnsg?si=pk4nlybJc9pgLpzT
“Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness!
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!”
Psalms 150:1-2, 6 ESV
Prayer:
Father thank you for the song and music you have woven into me from the foundation of creation. Thank you for the prayers I sing to you from my heart, whether they are perfect in melody, pitch and tone, or only beautiful to your forgiving ear. I thank you for those times when my own child is singing in a choir, or group, and I pick their voice out in the crowd. This reminds me Lord of how you hear my voice amongst the din of many prayers, not because of its outstanding quality, but because you simply love to hear of my voice and my praise; the voice of your child. This is the day that you have made Father, and these are the songs of prayer that I sing with the very breath you first breathed into me. I offer this to you as the best I have within me. I offer this my heart, my praise, my adoration, my voice of love for you.
Amen!
Rich Forbes