“Is any of you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? They should sing songs of praise.” James 5:13
There are many ways we can pray. We can bow our heads and say a prayer. We can stand up in church, fold our hands and pray. We can kneel beside our beds and say a prayer before we go to sleep at night. In emergencies we just blurt out a quick prayer for help. Did you ever think of singing a prayer? You may have been doing it without ever knowing it.
There are many instances in the Bible where people sang a prayer. Moses did it after the Children of Israel marched through the Red Sea. Moses prayed as he sang: “In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them” (Exodus 15:13). David wrote many prayer songs we find in the book of Psalms. In one familiar prayer song David wrote: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4). The judge Deborah wrote a prayer hymn after she defeated the enemy. She wrote: “So may all your enemies perish, LORD! But may they who love you be like the sun when it rises in its strength” (Judges 5:31).
Songs that are just for the joy of telling about Jesus are not necessarily prayer songs. You can tell if a song is a prayer hymn if it is addressed to God. Here are some wonderful examples of songs that are good prayers:
(From “Away in the Manger”)
Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay,
Close by me forever and love me I pray.
Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care,
And take us to heaven to live with Thee there. Amen.
(From “Now the Light Has Gone Away”)
Jesus, Savior, wash away all that has been wrong today;
Help me every day to be good and gentle, more like Thee. Amen.
(From “I Am Trusting Thee, Lord Jesus”)
I am trusting Thee, Lord Jesus, trusting only Thee.
Trusting Thee for full salvation great and free! Amen.
(From “Jesus, Lead Thou On”)
Jesus, lead us on till our rest is won; and although the way be cheerless, we will follow calm and fearless.
Guide us by Your hand to our Fatherland.
When we seek relief from a long-felt grief, when temptations come alluring, make us patient and enduring.
Show us that bright shore Where we weep no more. Amen.
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