Special Edition: Confessional the Musical

Today’s Cup of Encouragement is another guest post by Tova Lewis Dad.

I have a confession:

I’ve never been able to maintain a daily “quiet time.”

(That’s Christian-ese for “reading your Bible, meditating on the scriptures, and praying.”)

I am NOT a morning person, and being the mother of young kids, I’m usually mentally exhausted by the end of the day.

But during the last year and a half of uncertainty, I was searching for something to ground me more firmly in my relationship with Jesus on a daly basis. I wanted a pattern and rhythm of worship.

I love my church, and virtual church services are great for social distancing, but didn’t fill the hole of daily interaction with my God that I was craving.

But recently, some things have been able to change in my routine, starting with getting reliable sleep.

I’ve rejoined a choir that I haven’t found a way to be involved with over the past few years. We’re performing Mozart’s Requiem and Handel’s Messiah over the next month with our local symphony.

These two pieces are stuffed to bursting with scripture and prayers, and I get to rehearse them weekly with a group of fantastic singers, and have the music running through my mind every day (those who know my dad are not at all surprised by that last statement).

Here are a few examples:

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given.

And the government shall be upon His shoulder:

And His Name shall be called Wonderful Counselor,

The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace!”

(Handel, Messiah, Part the First, “Air,” from Isaiah 9:6)

Translated from Latin

“The trumpet will send its wondrous sound throughout earth’s sepulchers

and gather all before the throne. Death and nature will be astounded,

when all creation rises again to answer the judgement…

What shall a wretch like me say?

Who shall intercede for me, when the just ones need mercy?

King of tremendous majesty, who freely saves those worthy ones,

save me, source of mercy.

Remember, kind Jesus, my salvation caused your suffering;

do not forsake me on that day.

Faint and weary you have sought me, redeemed me, suffering on the cross;

may such great effort not be in vain…

When the accused are confounded, and doomed to flames of woe,

call me among the blessed…

Spare us by your mercy, Lord,

gentle Lord Jesus, grant them eternal rest. Amen.”

(Mozart, Requiem)

Singing these classic compositions, focusing not only on creating beautiful harmonies with my fellow singers, but also offering my voice as a prayer brings me such joy, and the text, such humility.

I’ve also added another pattern to my daily rhythm. After being inspired by some people on Twitter of different faith traditions, I’m praying part of The Daily Office (Matins/Morning and Vespers/Evening) on my own, using an app on my phone.

There are several parts to this practice, which include readings from the Old Testament, the New Testament, and the book of Psalms. There are also prayers specifically for praising God, blessing the poor and suffering, blessing leaders, clergy, and missionaries, healing the sick, asking for peace during conflict or unrest, thanking God, and making a statement of faith in God.

But the very first step, even before calling one’s heart to worship, is a confession of sin, on one’s knees, stated in the plural, with the knowledge that people around the world are entering into this worship too:

“Almighty and most merciful Father, we have erred and strayed from your ways like lost sheep.

We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts.

We have offended against your holy laws.

We have left undone those things which we ought to have done,

And we have done those things which we ought not to have done;

And apart from your grace, there is no health in us.

O Lord, have mercy upon us.

Spare all those who confess their faults.

Restore all those who are penitent, according to your promises declared to all people in Christ Jesus our Lord.

And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake, that we may now live a godly, righteous, and sober life, to the glory of your holy Name. Amen.”

This is how both times of worship and prayer are begun.

I have to tell you, coming from a very different faith tradition, I was initially uncomfortable with the idea of kneeling in scripted prayer.

But now, I love it!

I can feel my heart tuning to worship like my choir warming up to sing in harmony.

Speaking the confession out loud prepares me for my day, and later helps me reflect on it.

Practicing this rhythm of worship doesn’t make me a perfect follower of Jesus, but it does place me in a position to build my relationship with my King, Rescuer, and Comforter.

And I think that’s pretty amazing.

About Dr. Gerry Lewis