Pray a new song

Chris' prayer: Newsong's "You Are Holy"

2010-11-26T23:59:00.002-06:00

An absolutely perfect song to end my prayanewsong journey with. The past few times I've been to an Encounter or an Exalt! or any other praise and worship session, I've left a bit disappointed. What I was really in need of, each time, was just a night of pure praise. But each time, the night was supposed to be about something else- my struggles, anticipation, distractions, freedom, whatever else. All I wanted, all I needed, was a night of pure praise. Forget all that I'm struggling with, or what is distracting me, or an explanation of freedom, and especially the call to meet God wherever you are; just lead me in praising Him.

Tonight's song is just that. Purely praise and worship. Nothing else in the way. No need to think about what is going on in my life, or what's coming next, I can just get lost in the moment praising my God. That was just what I needed, and a perfect way to end my time on prayanewsong.

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Chris' prayer: Chris Tomlin's "Sing, Sing, Sing"

2010-11-25T22:05:00.000-06:00

Sing, sing, sing

If I hadn't had a song that was mistagged, this song, and these lyrics would be my last for prayanewsong. Not by design, as I've gone from the shortest Christian song I have to the longest, and then, once that was done, just tacked on the song I'd downloaded since beginning. It just happened to be the most recent song I've downloaded, and would have gone last if I hadn't had that one mistagged song. And what an ending it would have been.

This line is precisely why I started prayanewsong. Because I love to sing. I love to sing at Mass, at Adoration, at concerts and conferences, in my car, in the shower, alone, in front of other people, everywhere and at every time. And it was the desire to investigate these songs, to try to hear what God was saying to me through them, that was the impetus for this project.

And while the songs are (almost) done, God is not done speaking to me. Next, I will tackle what He has to say to me through Holy Scripture...His original love letter. I know that this blog is in good hands, though, because perhaps the only person who sings louder than I do is sticking around to make sure it continues. (: My prayer tonight is that God may continue to speak to all three of us that have posted on this blog for the better part of two years, myself, Katie, and Megan.

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Chris' prayer: Chris Tomlin's "Our God"

2010-11-24T23:59:00.001-06:00

I love, near the end of the song, when Tomlin stops singing and just listens to the crowd worship the Lord. It reminds me of a couple of things. First, our faith is not lived in isolation. We are a community of believers. And we all praise Him together. And second, our faith is not lived in isolation. There are others out there who need to hear this message. If we really believe the words that we are singing here, that our God is greater than abuse and pain, addiction, hurt, struggles, heartache, then we need to be sharing Him with those who don't know that.

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Chris' prayer: David Crowder Band's "How He Loves"

2010-11-23T21:29:00.000-06:00

We are His portion

Last night He was our portion. Tonight we are His. Since time doesn't exist to God, "future" means nothing. We are left with "destiny" as a definition of portion here. We are God's destiny. This echoes the oft repeated idea that God knew each of us before He formed us, before even He formed the world.

That is comforting to know. To know that He knows. He knows us. He knows what's going to happen. He knows how it all plays out. And, if we believe that He loves us, what have we to worry about?

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Chris' prayer: Watermark's "My Heart, Your Home"

2010-11-22T21:43:00.000-06:00

You are my portion, filling up everything

I've seen this word a few times in different songs I've sung lately, but never had the chance to look up exactly how it is being used: portion. I knew about the normal definition we're all aware of, a part of a whole. I didn't know, though, that an older definition, and the one being used here, essentially means future or destiny.

I really appreciate the word play in this line. The common definition of portion, a part, filling up everything. It is clever even if it is not what Christy Nockels is actually meaning. She is singing that her future and destiny is filling up everything.

I've seen that be the case in my life as I've gotten older. My faith went from being something that I just knew was right but didn't have any interest in pursuing, to acquiring that interest, to growing in my faith, to, in a lot of ways, having my faith take over my life. My future and destiny is now filling up everything in my life, too.

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Chris' prayer: Karl Zimmerman's "Love Will Lead Us Home"

2010-11-19T21:55:00.000-06:00

There will be dancing and there will be singing again

Sometimes, things don't go right. It seems like, no matter what I do, I just can't get things to happen the way they should, or the way I expect them, or the "right" way. Bad stuff just seems to happen without any concern at all. Despite any good intentions I may have, it just happens.

When that occurs, it is important for me to remember this line. The bad stuff isn't the end. My worst, crummiest days are not the end. My sin is not the end. There is something that conquers all of that, that makes my day right, that makes me new again. Love. And when that love comes to lead me back to Him, there will be dancing and there will be singing again.

iTunes

Chris' prayer: Todd Fields' "No Other Name"

2010-11-18T20:40:00.000-06:00

set me free

For the first time in a week, I spent the evening at home. Free from obligations, free even from things I wanted to do, I spent most of the evening on the couch. It was just what I needed.

The last four nights spent up at church have given my faith a little bit of a kick start. Though I never really understood exactly what the Parish Mission was all about, I did get some blessing out of it. Just being there with Jesus and with my Christian brothers and sisters was helpful and good for me.

And, as an introvert, being done with all of that and back in the comfort of my tiny home is good, too. I have been set free, so to speak, in multiple ways this week. Praise Jesus!

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Chris' prayer: Amy Grant's "Nothing is Beyond You"

2010-11-17T20:52:00.000-06:00

Sometimes, on a Saturday afternoon, or late on a weekend night, I'll accidentally get caught up watching an infomercial. It isn't that I mean to, it is just that I don't have cable or satellite and, at those hours of the day, nothing much else to do. So one will come on, with all of its boastful claims, and I'll get sucked in. Though I've never purchased something from one of these 30-minute long commercials, I've often thought, "You know, I could really use that. I would __________ more if I had one of those."

This song reminds me of an infomercial. The lyrics are full of the same kinds of claims I hear on television: "Fills Eternity! Never stains! Cannot be contained by time! Even the Heavens stretch to hold Him!" And just like those infomercials, I am drawn in by what Grant is selling here. I want to be a part of this! I want my very own! I could really use this Creator she is talking about! I would totally be happier if I had what she has!

Fortunately for me, there is no limited time offer on this deal. He will out-wait me. I don't have to be one of the first 100 callers to get free shipping or a bonus gift. I can share Him with as many people as I want already. But just like those infomercial deals, I have to make sure to actually take advantage of what's been presented me and not let it sit on a shelf somewhere and collect dust.

Lyrics

Chris' prayer: Hillsong United's "At the Cross"

2010-11-16T23:05:00.000-06:00

At the cross I bow my knee

Continuing with reflecting on the Parish Mission I'm going to, last night the symbol was the cross. At the end of the presentation, everyone was invited forward to venerate the cross in some way: bowing before it, touching it, kissing it, etc. I'd never seen this done outside of Holy Week services, and even then, it always seemed a bit foreign to me, probably because I haven't done it often enough.

As with the Bible the night before, it was nice to recognize and lift up this important symbol of my faith, to recognize the significance the cross has played, and to acknowledge the crosses that I have in my own life.

This song reminds me that I can bring my much smaller crosses to the foot of Jesus' cross, and know that He will carry it for me, and that nothing will separate us.

(Slowly but surely, it feels like my spirituality is returning to me. It is no coincidence that I'm spending more time with Him.)

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Chris' prayer: Hillsong United's "Came to My Rescue"

2010-11-15T21:36:00.000-06:00

In your presence

This week, I am spending more time at church than in any other week with the exception of Holy Week. It is "Parish Mission" week at my church and each night, Sunday through Wednesday, we have a presentation covering a different symbol of our faith. Tonight's symbol was the cross, and last night's was the Bible.

To be quite honest, I'm not really sure what is going on at the parish mission. I've never been to one before, and, unless I'm completely off in my own world, the presentations haven't really had much to do with what they are supposed to represent. Occasionally there will be a tie in, but for much of the talk, it just seems like the priest is talking about something else.

I was telling my girlfriend after last night's presentation, though, that I enjoyed it, and part of the reason I enjoyed it was because of the attitude I went into it with. I really felt called to come and be a part of it, even if I didn't quite understand what was going on. It felt good to be there, with the rest of my church, in His presence.

There is something that is innately powerful about simply spending time with Jesus. This is what keeps me coming back to Adoration week after week. Somehow, subtly at times, it changes things. And being there, attending this with so many other members of my church, only adds value. It is touching to see how many people have attended and gone through this similar experience, all feeling how powerful it is to spend time in His presence.

I'm hoping that, before the end of the mission on Wednesday night, that I'm able to understand what the process was about. But if all I get out of it was some time spent with my Lord, that will be enough for me.

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Chris' prayer: Brian Doerksen's "Refiner's Fire"

2010-11-12T23:59:00.000-06:00

You know, even in ministry, there are still times when it is so easy to be less than holy. It is easy to not treat others equally, to dismiss people, to assume that they aren't as committed as I am, or that my way is the best way for things to work. And it is really a pride thing more than anything. I want to believe that I am the most committed, most creative, most holy minister. A lot of times, I want that to be true, but I want that to be true for selfish reasons. I want people to look at me and say, "Look at all he does. He has value. He is of worth." When I do that, I'm not there for the teens and I'm not there for God. And when that happens, it isn't even ministry at all.

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Chris' prayer: Hillsong United's "Take it All"

2010-11-11T22:38:00.000-06:00

I would like to direct your attention to the YouTube video linked below. It, and this song, are the perfect way to end the day. I attended Exalt! (praise and worship/holy hour) tonight at my church, and it was okay, but the songs we prayed really didn't resonate with me. What I really wanted was just a great worship song, something upbeat that I could sing at the top of my lungs. I just felt like worshiping God and was hoping that there'd be a song that would help me out.

Tonight's song (and that video) is just great. It is pure, perfect fun. It is pure worship. When my spiritual life isn't going perfectly, I can always fall back on some perfect worship. This was just what I needed.

YouTube | iTunes | Lyrics

Chris' prayer: Hillsong United's "Hosanna"

2010-11-10T22:02:00.000-06:00

I see his love and mercy
Washing over all our sin

I'm hearing a lot about reconciliation lately. First was the first night of the retreat and the opportunity to go to confession and have the Lord's love and mercy wash over all my sin. Then last night at a meeting I was at, we had someone speak about reconciliation with such passion and love. And now tonight, I hear it in this song. Oh, and all I read about during adoration today was forgiveness and mercy. It seems God is trying to tell me something. Hopefully, I can figure out the specifics.

YouTube | iTunes | Lyrics

Chris' prayer: HIllsong United's "Mighty to Save"

2010-11-09T21:48:00.000-06:00

Shine your light and let the whole world see

Coming off of a retreat this past weekend, this line is pretty relevant. With each retreat I go on, I find myself saying, "It would be just awesome to just stay here and revel in God's Love for me." And, even though I say it, I know that it can't happen. For starters, I have a job to return to, and the teens have school to return to. And there are several other reasons, the biggest of which is that we have family and friends waiting at home for us. They are waiting there for us to come and share the Gospel with them. We cannot take what we've learned on the retreat and keep it to ourselves. We must shine that light for the whole world, and especially those around us, to bathe in the warm and brightness of.

YouTube | iTunes | Lyrics

Chris' prayer: Chris Tomlin's "The Wonderful Cross"

2010-11-08T21:56:00.000-06:00

Love so amazing, so divine
Demands my soul, my life, my all

Thousands of books, plays, songs, and poems have been written about the pursuit of love. Many of them say, in different words, what is uttered here: that love with worth giving our all for. Christians believe this. Muslims believe this. Jews believe this. Hindus believe this. And so do the non-religious and atheists. Universally, it is believed that love is worth everything.

And if everyone knows this, then hasn't everyone met God? Doesn't everyone know of the power to change their lives? Something, or someone, so great it (or He) is worth sacrificing for? "A rose by any other name..."

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Chris' prayer: Jason Upton's "Gideon"

2010-11-05T23:59:00.000-05:00

Help me boast in my condition
You’re the God and I’m the man

I love the wordplay here. Usually, when someone is boasting, they say, "I'm the man." But here Upton is using "I'm the man" with humility. "I'm (just) the man," he is saying.

Tonight I learned about humility in confession. It is something I need to work on in many areas of my life. My hope is that, staring with a clean slate and a weekend of spirituality will help me be better about being humble.

Chris' prayer: Cheer Up Charlie's "Xanaphobe"

2010-11-04T22:51:00.000-05:00

Ooh, a secret track! And, in this secret track, an opportunity to interact with the track's makers. You can tell the track's makers anything you want by singing along to the secret track and they will listen to it.

I like the parallel here with our faith. There's this way I can communicate with my maker that is sort of mystical and secret. I can tell Him anything I want by singing, or speaking, or writing, or just thinking, and whatever it is, He will listen to it. This weekend, I will be doing all of those things: singing, speaking, writing, and thinking about God. And He will be doing what He always does: hearing me. Hopefully, I'll be doing some listening as well.

iTunes

Chris' prayer: God's Property's "He Will Take the Pain Away"

2010-11-03T22:30:00.000-05:00

He'll take the pain away

I'm waiting for some relief. Earlier today, I had an asthma attack, and it really drained me. I don't get them very often (perhaps every 6 months or so) and they aren't very severe (I never feel like I'm suffocating, just like I can't catch my breath), but they are uncomfortable. And today's was really draining. It left me exhausted and slightly dizzy. In fact, I'm feeling some of the effects still.

Jesus, please take this pain away.

YouTube | iTunes | Lyrics

Chris' prayer: Jason Upton's "Freedom Reigns"

2010-11-02T23:07:00.000-05:00

Whatever you're burdened with tonight
Whatever you struggle with tonight
There is Freedom

This is such a welcome message. There is freedom. It is coming. And I cannot avoid it. It will capture me, and in doing so, release me from everything. I'll be completely free. Free to be who I am. Free to be with Him. Free to just be. Free to just be without my burdens, without my struggles. And I can feel it coming soon. Come, Lord Jesus, come. Come, Freedom, come.

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Chris' prayer: Andy Cloninger's "We Are Waiting"

2010-11-01T21:52:00.000-05:00

We Are Waiting

As I've mentioned recently, my relationship with God is lulling at the moment. There isn't the super strong connection that I like to have. The repetitive nature of tonight's song, particularly the chorus, underscores that. I seem to just be here waiting. I'm not sure on what, or how long I'll be waiting, or anything...just waiting.

Part of it is just waiting for me to have some time. I have been overwhelmed for the last couple weeks with everything I need to get done. The job search hasn't really started yet, because I can't even get to that, and it is a priority. With the little free time I've had lately, I need that time to recuperate and reset myself. Before I'm ever able to finish doing that, there are a hundred more things on my to-do list, and the cycle begins again.

So, what I really need, what I'm really looking for- what I'm really waiting for- is to be rescued from life and all its busyness. I'm waiting...

iTunes

Chris' prayer: Jason Upton's "Come Up Here"

2010-10-29T23:59:00.000-05:00

When I listened to this song, throughout the first part, I was hearing Upton sing about how he wants to fly upto God, about how he just wants to be with Him. And God is calling out to him in a very unambiguous way. It was clear to me that the relationship between the singer and God was very strong; they knew each other well.

It isn't until I got to much later in the song when I realized that wasn't the case at all. The singer was struggling with brokenness and heartache. And yet, for some reason, his heart still cried out, and his ears still heard God's calling so crystal clear.

I'm not like that at all. When I'm struggling and broken, it is very, very hard for me to hear God. Even when I feel like my relationship with Him is going well, it still isn't easy for me to discern what God is saying to me. I admire the faith of Upton in this song. His relationship is clearly on a different level than mine is. Someday, I hope to be able to sing these words honestly.

Chris' prayer: Kirk Franklin's "The Appeal"

2010-10-28T20:41:00.000-05:00

Sometimes the title of a song is the first words sung by the artist. Sometimes, the title is in the chorus and is sung over and over again. Occasionally, like the other day, we don't learn how the title fits into the song until close to the end. And then there are times like today, when the title appears nowhere in the lyrics.

Sometimes I feel my prayers are like that. I get so caught up in talking to God about something that I leave out the most important words. I leave out what my prayer is really all about. So tonight, my prayer is just that. It's the title without the song. It's the most important thing.

God, I love you, and my relationship with you means the world to me.

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Chris' prayer: Kirk Franklin's "Now Behold the Lamb"

2010-10-27T22:42:00.000-05:00

When I always didn't do right
I went left he told me to go right

I'm pretty good at this. I'm pretty good about knowing what the right thing to do would be, but choosing to sin anyway. Small things, bigger things, it doesn't matter. It is, unfortunately, often a conscious choice to sin. I hear Him calling me one way and I choose to go the other. Fortunately, this God I believe in is merciful and gracious. In fact, this God I believe in died for those very sins, for the ones I've already committed and for those I will commit. How blessed am I?

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Chris' prayer: Jars of Clay's "Frail"

2010-10-26T23:02:00.000-05:00

Your dirt removes my blindness

I like this line. It is clever. It references the story in the Gospel of Jesus giving the blind man sight by rubbing mud on his eyes, and the scales peeling away, but it is almost a hidden reference. It is understated; it doesn't seem very obvious.

What I like so much about the line, and about the accompanying Gospel story is how Jesus uses dirt, something so...dirty...to heal the blind man. Surely Jesus could have just said the words "be healed" and he would have been able to see. But instead, Jesus takes mud and rubs it on the blind man's face. Something so dirty. And suddenly, the blind man was able to see. Something so beautiful.

It is the constant tale of God doing something beautiful with something ugly. Despite my sin, God is absolutely convinced that I should be a saint. Despite my failings, He is convinced I should, and will, succeed. He is in the process of making a masterpiece out of a collection of leftover browns and blacks and grays. He is making something beautiful out of me.

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Chris' prayer: Jason Upton's "Faith"

2010-10-25T22:05:00.000-05:00

This song is a helpful reminder when I'm not growing as much as I would like to in my faith. When things aren't going as well as they could be going, when things aren't happening as quickly as I would like them to, when I'm feeling overwhelmed with all the stuff I am supposed to do, this song reminds me of a few things.

First, that even when I'm not fully whole, God is still there. He has not, and will not, abandon me. Second, both of us, He and I, expect more from me, and He's going to be there with me to pick me up and continue to encourage me to make the most of myself and my situation. He is encouraging me to grow. Third, trust. I can trust in that plan He has for me. I can find comfort in that. I can rejoice in it. Lastly, that all that matters, whether it all comes crashing down, or whether it soars higher than ever, is my relationship with Him.

My prayer tonight:

Let my faith arise

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