A Prayer to Connect with God through Music - Your Daily Prayer - March 25
Your Daily Prayer
Audio By Carbonatix
By Whitney Hopler, Crosswalk.com
A Prayer to Connect with God through Music
By: Whitney Hopler
Bible Reading:
“Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” – Psalm 100:2, NIV
Listen or Read Below:
Music has a way of speaking directly to our emotions. Just a few notes can either lift our mood or bring tears to our eyes. God designed it that way. Before there were instruments, God created sound itself. God spoke, and sound waves came into being. When we listen to music or make music, we’re interacting with something God has built into the foundation of life. We can also be inspired to worship our creative God, who has made it possible for us to participate in creativity through sound, creating endless varieties of music.
Psalm 100:2 invites us to worship God with gladness and to come before him with joyful songs. That verse doesn’t limit worship to a certain style or setting. It just reminds us that music is a way for us to discover God’s presence with us. Music helps us show up honestly, whether we’re full of joy, struggling with sadness, or any other emotions.
Music meets us where we are. On days when we’re especially busy, we can use music to praise God on the go, such as by singing along to a worship song while we’re driving. On other days, we might use music to help us find and enjoy God’s peace, like by sitting in silence with soft instrumental music playing in the background. Sometimes a classic hymn reminds us of truths about God that we’ve known for years. At other times, a new song puts words to feelings we can’t explain well otherwise, and that helps us express our prayers to God.
God doesn’t ask us to be skilled musicians. So, we don’t have to worry about whether or not we can sing all the right notes or get the rhythms right. What God cares about when we come before him with songs is just that we’re giving him our attention in ways that move us emotionally. Music can help us move from just thinking about God in our minds to letting God’s love flow into our hearts.
Music can also help us experience awe when we consider how beautifully God designed it to work. The way sound vibrations travel through the air and reach our ears, and the way musical notes and rhythms fit together, all reflect God’s creativity. When music inspires us with awe, it helps us worship with wonder.
We can also incorporate music as part of our daily time with God. Maybe we play a worship song while getting ready in the morning, so the lyrics can shape our thoughts. We may take a walk with music that reminds us of God’s faithfulness. We can sing out loud when we’re alone, or let a song with inspiring lyrics become a prayer for us. Even listening carefully to a worship song – without multitasking – can be a way to worship God by meditating on who he is and what he does.
Music also helps God’s truth settle into our hearts. A Bible verse set to music can stay with us long after the song ends. When we’re anxious or discouraged, God’s Holy Spirit can bring those words back to mind right when we need them. In that way, music can guide us back to God’s promises.
Most of all, music reminds us that God is with us. God is there for us all the time, no matter how we’re feeling. God hears us! He creates music and invites us to use it as a powerful way to connect with him.
Let’s Pray:
Dear God, thank you for creating sound and music, and for all the joy they bring to the world around me. Thank you for being a God who speaks, sings over his people, and invites me to connect with you. Thank you for always being there, ready for me to connect with you. Please help me to use my voice to sing to you and connect with you personally in the process. Thank you for singing over me, expressing your great love for me.
Show me how to use music as a way to connect with you more deeply, whether I’m making music or just listening to music. When I feel joyful, let music help me express my gratitude. When I feel stressed or worried, let music draw me back to your peace. When I feel discouraged, encourage me through music. Let me experience awe as I enjoy all the wonderful music day by day. Teach me to slow down and notice your presence through music in my everyday life. Let worship songs point me to your truth and strengthen my faith. I want to be tuned into a close relationship with you every day.
Draw me closer to you through music, and let my whole life become like a song that honors you. Amen.
Share your reflections on today’s devotional in the Your Daily Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.
Photo Credit: Unsplash/Jackson Simmer
Whitney Hopler helps people discover God's wonder and experience awe. She is the author of several books, including the nonfiction books Wake Up to Wonder and Wonder Through the Year: A Daily Devotional for Every Year, and the young adult novel Dream Factory. Whitney has served as an editor at leading media organizations, including Crosswalk.com, The Salvation Army USA’s national publications, and Dotdash.com (where she produced a popular channel on angels and miracles). She currently leads the communications work at George Mason University’s Center for the Advancement of Well-Being. Connect with Whitney on her website at www.whitneyhopler.com and on her Facebook author page.
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