Music for the Soul
Eva Burns-Bachman of Lincoln, NE, USA
O come, let us sing to the LORD;
let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! -Psalm 95:1-2
As a person who was trained and mentored throughout childhood to play piano with a focus on service to the church, I’ve always loved the hymns. Music has been a big part of my life.
I usually try to pick prelude or meditation pieces that will add to the worship experience. Even how I play is considered in the preparation. At times I’ve wondered if that ministry was beneficial, or even noticed.
On a recent Sunday, I chose a hymn with familiar melody and words. While playing, I prayed it would minister to those in attendance. I was playing a meditation piece using one of my favorite styles of building on the parts. The style emphasizes “working together” to add, in harmony, each individual part so I share the full melody by the time the hymn ends.
To me, music symbolically represents our lives. This particular Sunday that representation was affirmed by the response to the music when the guest speaker spoke of how the presentation of the music represented our individual talents building on each other’s to create harmony in our lives by working together.
When we recognize our gifts and use them together, we can do great things to bring music to the souls of those who are struggling. My prayer is that we acknowledge each other’s gifts and build beautiful harmony in our world.
Prayer Phrase
“Every breath is a resurrection” (Gregory Orr).
Spiritual Practice
Breath of Life
Take a few moments right now to breathe. Simply observe each inhale and exhale. Pay attention to how it feels in your body. Notice the rise and fall of your chest. Notice how you breathe even when you aren’t thinking about it, how your body instinctively knows how to keep you alive without your thought or effort. In this moment, you are alive. Receive this awareness as an expression of divine grace. In joy or despair, loss or celebration, your body continues breathing. How is your breath a resurrection this day?
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.
