"To sing is to pray twice." - Saint Augustine
I've always thought of church choirs as small groups, in a way—a community, a fellowship, a place to come together. Choir gives people a place to sing and make music, yes, but also feel safe, be vulnerable, and be supportive as we carry one another's burdens.
This is one of the reasons why I feel it's important to end each rehearsal with prayer.
I grew up singing in a fairly large choir in a Methodist church in Georgia (I say "grew up" because I joined when I was 11!).
At the end of each rehearsal, we put down our folders, joined hands, and made a circle around the choir room. We stood there for a few moments, sharing joys and concerns with one another and closing our time together with prayer.
It was meaningful to me then and has stayed with me; it's a tradition I've carried with me to all the churches I've served. It's a simple thing, but I believe it makes the difference between choir as a social gathering and choir as a ministry.
Prayer reminds us that we have been given an opportunity to serve, we have a purpose, a message to share. It focuses our hearts and minds on the true meaning of our work together. And it gives us an opportunity to carry each other's burdens—to rejoice with those who are rejoicing, walk beside those who are struggling, lift up those who are hurting.
Prayer doesn't have to be complicated.
I usually offer a quick word of thanks for the time we have together, the gift of music, the gift of friendship, and the opportunity to sing and make music together. I pray for the hearts of those who will hear the music we sing, that God might glorified. I usually pray on the spot, but if you don't feel comfortable doing that, you can always write something out in advance or read a short prayer someone else has written. Here are a few of my favorite sources:
Prayer for Singing
“For True Singing” United Methodist Hymnal #69 Fred D. Gealy, alt. Laurence Hull Stookey, 1987
This is one of my all-time favorite prayers for church choirs! "Grant that what we sing with our lips we may believe in our hearts, and what we believe in our hearts, we may practice in our lives."
Prayers for Lent
"Ash Wednesday" United Methodist Hymnal #353 Laurence Hull Stookey, 20th century
Based on Genesis 3:19, Psalm 51:10, and 1 Thessalonians 2:12, this reflective prayer by Laurence Hull Stookey is perfect for Ash Wednesday or the beginning of Lent. "By the redemptive power of the cross,create in us clean hearts and put within us a new spirit,that we may repent of our sins and lead lives worthy of your calling." Read the full prayer here.
"Lent" United Methodist Hymnal #268 The Lutheran Book of Worship, 1978
A prayer for guidance through the wilderness of our lives: "Guide now the people of your church, that, following our Savior, we may walk through the wilderness of this world toward the glory of the world to come." Read the full prayer here.
Prayer for Holy Week
"Passion/Palm Sunday" United Methodist Hymnal #281 The Lutheran Book of Worship, 1978; alt. by Laurence Hull Stookey, 1987
This short prayer reflects on Jesus' willingness to lay down His life for us. "Grant that we may share in his obedience to your will." Read the full prayer here.
Prayer for the Easter Season
"Sundays of Easter" United Methodist Hymnal #320 The Lutheran Book of Worship, 1978
This prayer reminds us that by grace, through faith, we have been saved. We die with Christ and are raised with Him in new life. "Grant that we, who celebrate the day of our Lord's resurrection, may arise from the death of sin to the life of righteousness." Read the full prayer here.
Prayer for Ourselves
"Prayer for a New Heart" United Methodist Hymnal #392 Dag Hammerskjöld, Sweden, 20th century
This lovely prayer works well with Psalm 51 ("Create in me a clean heart, O God"), but is fitting for anytime of the year."Give me a pure heart, that I may see thee;a humble heart, that I may hear thee;a heart of love, that I may serve thee;a heart of faith, that I may abide in thee." Read the full prayer here.
Prayer for Our Communities
"For Courage to Do Justice" United Methodist Hymnal #456 Alan Paton, South Africa,20th century
I love the mission component of this prayer: Show me where there is a need and give me an opportunity to serve others in Your name."Show me where love and hope and faith are needed,and use me to bring them to those places." Read the full prayer here.
Prayer for Healing
"For the Sick" United Methodist Hymnal #457 The Book of Common Prayer; alt. by Laurence Hull Stookey
A prayer of healing for those who are sick, and for their caretakers: "[That they]may find help in weakness and have confidence in Your loving care." Read the full prayer here.
Prayer for Peace
"Prayer of St. Francis" United Methodist Hymnal #481 Francis of Assisi, 13 century
The well-known prayer of St. Francis (though likely not actually written by St. Francis) is a prayer for peace and a call to service. "Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith." Read the full prayer here.
Prayer for Pentecost
"Day of Pentecost" United Methodist Hymnal #542 Laurence Hull Stookey,20th century
A passionate prayer for boldness to proclaim God's message throughout the earth:"Fill your church with power, kindle flaming hearts within us, and cause us to proclaim your mighty works in every tongue." Read the full prayer here.
Prayer of Surrender
"Covenant Prayer in the Wesleyan Tradition" United Methodist Hymnal #607
A beautiful prayer of surrender and trust: "Let me be employed for you, or laid aside for you, exalted for you, or brought low for you; let me be full, let me be empty, let me have all things, let me have nothing." Read the full prayer here.
