Thank you for joining in 150 hours of prayer. As part of your time praying, you might like to use music to help you be still, reflect and allow the Holy Spirit to stir in you things, people, situations you’d like to pray for.
There is some specially recorded music here, a meditative soundtrack which includes hymns and psalms that help you focus your prayers. As you listen, you could close your eyes, kneel, position your hands with open palms...whatever helps to connect with what it is you want to say to God and what He might be saying to you. Listen to the specially prepared soundtrack here
And as the music fades…you might like to reflect on these lyrics by Matt Redman:
When the music fades
All is stripped away
And I simply come
Longing just to bring
Something that's of worth
That will bless your heart
I'll bring you more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what you have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You're looking into my heart
I'm coming back to the heart of worship
And it's all about you,
It's all about you, Jesus
I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it
When it's all about you,
It's all about you, Jesus
Poetry, Praise & Petition
Another way you might like to connect with God in prayer is through the Psalms. As you know, we have 150 hours of prayer and 150 psalms (go to the section on Psalms for this hour's psalm!)
The psalms are a collection of songs and prayers, expressing the heart and soul of humanity. David and other writers honestly poured out their true feelings, reflecting a dynamic, vulnerable, REAL relationship with God. The psalmists confess their sins, express their doubts and fears, ask God for help in times of trouble as well as praise and worship him, coming back to the truth of His goodness and unfailing love. Sounds like exactly what this 150 hours of prayer is all about!
So, if you were to write a psalm, what would you want to say? What are you struggling with? What are you thankful for?
You could use this TEMPLATE you help you write a Psalm.
And THIS will help you see how God’s Word responds to some of our common feelings.
What about contributing to a Neighbourhood Psalm - at the building we are assembling people’s praises and laments into a collective Psalm. If you are doing this at home, feel free to email your contributions to hello@neighbourhoodchurch.org and we can add your contribution to our Neighbourhood Psalm.
“The inner essence of worship is to know God truly and then respond from the heart to that knowledge by valuing God, treasuring God, prizing God, enjoying God, being satisfied with God above all earthly things. And then that deep, restful, joyful satisfaction in God overflows in demonstrable acts of praise from the lips and demonstrable acts of love in serving others for the sake of Christ.” John Piper