A church choir, praise team, or instrumental ensemble doesn’t simply gather to sing or play for entertainment and recreation alone – there is an even greater purpose in gathering. When we make music and pray in the Spirit, we intentionally elevate God in worship and highest praise. We commune with one another and with God’s Spirit as we pray and sing.
What should I do then? I will pray with the spirit, but I will pray with the mind also; I will sing praise with the spirit, but I will sing praise with the mind also.
—1 Corinthians 14:15
According to Paul, praying and singing work together when they are done with understanding. Should prayer be central in our worship preparation? Absolutely! Just as music and singing are part of our worship, prayer is essential as we work together each week as choirs, orchestras, worship teams and more. As the ensemble focuses on prayer for and through the music they prepare each week, the group moves away from preparing music for a performance and toward the goal of leading the congregation in worship.
Those in worship leadership should certainly pray for themselves and each other regarding preparation for worship and for the service itself. Since prayer is part of the worship service, the role of music as a worship component should also be emphasized. The meditative moment of music for individual prayer is obvious, but there are many times when lyrics are addressed directly to God. Music is thus transformed into corporate prayer.
In any group, but perhaps especially in a church-based volunteer ensemble, there will be a segment of members who, in addition to musical experiences, are seeking a caring community in which they can minister and serve side by side with others. In this faith-based setting, prayer becomes an integral part of each rehearsal as service music is prepared each week. Prayers of the ensemble members can help to transform rehearsals, worship services and the hearts of all – both musicians and congregants.
Prayer is most effective when it is a collaborative effort of all members rather than a perfunctory prayer voiced by the director or another individual to open or close the rehearsal. Prayer becomes a ministry of and to the ensemble when it is prioritized as an integral part of every rehearsal.
Ensemble leaders – director, section leaders, and others – can certainly lead by example. Caring breeds caring; appreciation yields commitment; meaningful, genuine prayer as a group and as individuals changes hearts. Praying for someone affects the one who voices the prayer, not just the ones on the prayer list.
Because of the amount of time ensemble members spend together weekly, relationships begin to grow, and unity in purpose is solidified. There is nothing that draws people together more than a collaborative effort – that is the core of weekly music ministry! This collaboration of the ensemble as worship leaders and worshipers, not either/or, begins to take the “me” out of the picture, turning the focus on God, the focus of our singing, playing, praying, and proclamation!
When prayer is at the heart of music preparation, each rehearsal becomes a spiritual oasis in the middle of the week rather than one more obligation to fulfill. Flying in on two wheels from work and family commitments and entering a space of beautiful music, compassionate friends, and an opportunity to rest and reflect can soothe the edges and transform an overhurried mind into one in tune with the Spirit, centering on a unified purpose of the gathered ensemble.
Think of the people who serve alongside you as volunteers and professionals in your own groups. Within every section there are hearts in some type of life struggle – physical, emotional, relational, familial, or spiritual. You know of some of these and are perhaps praying for and ministering to those individuals. It is quite likely there are other concerns unknown to you.
As the director, it is not your sole responsibility for prayer and outreach to those in your groups. Creating a praying community within the ensemble is far more effective. Consider a few suggestions for beginning or expanding prayer in your group:
- Enlist volunteers to lead small prayer groups within the ensemble, especially if your group is large. Section leaders can serve in this capacity as part of their other assignments.
- Create a monthly prayer list including individual needs, special services of the group, birthdays of group members, etc.
- Suggest a monthly prayer practice for individuals to use in their personal quiet times. For example:
Week 1: Pray for the directors, accompanists, and other leaders
Week 2: Pray daily for members of your section
Week 3: Pray for worship leaders not in the music ministry
Week 4: Pray for all members with birthdays this month - Offer creative prayers in rehearsal times using lyrics from anthems and scripture passages in choral readings. These prayers will increase the understanding and appreciation of the music being prepared.
- Allow moments of silent reflection before or after each musical selection in rehearsal.
- Enlist members to offer brief testimonials about one of the pieces in the current repertoire.
- Suggest ways members can prepare for leading worship at home each week: pray the anthem lyrics, study the scripture readings, take time to center their attention on the services to come, putting aside distractions as much as possible.
- Encourage outreach to others by a variety of means – cards, calls, texts, etc.
These are basic – your ensemble will be a great resource for other things that will be especially meaningful and sustainable for them. Sometimes a simple gesture means the world to a lonely, hurting heart. There is something healing, even transformational, in knowing you belong – you are a valued part of the group – part of a caring, praying community.
For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.
—Matthew 18:20
