I'm about to share with you a type of informal prayer and a pray technique that are special to me.
First let me tell you about the latter- A prayer technique I picked up years ago. It was at a program called "That man is you," that I discovered a name for something I'd been taught to do since childhood. This prayer technique can be called a number of different things but thanks to "That man is you," a Catholic ministry for men, mostly middle aged fathers and husbands, they would meet at 5:00 a.m. before the work day, I call it "Prayer Triggers." Just like a pulling of a trigger on a gun. Hence the photo. "Prayer Triggers" are events that will trigger us to respond with prayer.
This prayer technique is designed to help one remember to pray throughout the day. These triggers are not to lead to long extended prayers but short prayers, sometimes a mere sentence or a few words. The idea is to pick events that happen to you constantly throughout the day and turn them into a "Prayer Trigger." Many of us grew up praying whenever we heard a siren. Now I consider a siren a "Prayer Trigger." Meal time can be a "Prayer Trigger" for many of us. What else could be a "Prayer Trigger?" When you get creative the possibilities and the amount of "Pray Triggers" are endless. Imagine what all you could turn into a "prayer trigger." For this portion of your project you will need to come up with a list of SEVEN "Prayer Triggers." But now, I will share with you a unique type of informal vocal meditative prayer that I enjoy.
So being that I love music I've found ways to pray with songs that I enjoy. Well I can't take credit for discovering it but now I actively seek it out. When I was studying up on the bass I wanted to learn from James Jamerson. He's the original Motown studio bass player. I was learning how to play "Bernadette" by the Four Tops. And having to listen to the song in pieces over and over. Playing along then playing solo. Singing the lyrics inaudibly to myself. I was moved to prayer. For some reason I imagined that there I was singing about God, his Church, the Holy Spirit. I imagined Jesus sing to me and now I can't stop. It often isn't an entire song. Sometimes its a verse and or chorus. Now this wont work with every song because some "cross the line." Other times I find great songs that I can pray with in their entirety. It bleed beyond love songs.
Other times I pray with songs that embody a virtue or an catholic social teachings. I'll pray with songs that epitomizes something that has its end in God. Something that leads us to heaven. This next band can be argued for being a number of different genres but I must warn you if you listen to this song it is heavy. There is some screaming. But the emotion found in this song embodies in me a passion I imagine Jesus had for the merchants in the temple. "Cold Cash and Colder Hearts" by Thrice promotes solidarity while addressing those who ignore the fact that were created as one human family. Thrice wrote their lyrics from the point of view of those who choose to neglect the poor and vulnerable. They are in no way promoting such action but by designing their lyrics in such a way they are able to lay out different excuses as to why some people "keep there hears cold." Because they got "different gods, " darker skin," cause they are "living in sin," "they are not our problem, not worth saving," There is an unspoken commissioning- we need to LOVE EVERYONE. That it is not okay to ignore the plight of those suffering in the world. I think what speaks to me the most about this song is the lyric "we've learned that money matters most." Money needs to have his proper place in my life a place where money does not have priority over the common good. This song became a prayer of petition and intercession for me. I'm interceding for those who struggle with the idea of solidarty, I'm praying that they are moved not to "keep their hearts cold." This is also a prayer of petition because I need to be strengthened in my conviction to the common good. I also need help keeping money in its proper place in my life.
For this portion of the project you'll be finding songs you could pray with. If you wanted too. Not that that would be terrible or anything. Now if you rather not look up songs. Then explain another way one could "uniquely pray" with examples. Maybe its something you tried on a retreat or while at camp.
How is this to be turned in? email me a word document titled Lesson A with each of the following:
- List of SEVEN prayer triggers.
- Song Title, Artist and Lyrics. (web links if possible)
- Explanation
Explanation- Tell me how the song could be used in prayer. If there is a lyric that might need "spin" or a Christian perspective explain that too.
I imagine that I'm singing the lyrics of "Bernadette" about God. In the song the girl he is singing about becomes God. In "Bernadette" he says guys envy him for having her...people envy the love I have for God they long to love something or someone as much as I love God. Then he sings that other want Bernadette for the "pride it brings." I focuses on the fact that others want to steal this guys girlfriend. I turn it into a prayer where the people trying to steal his girl are trying to steal my love for God a.k.a. my faith. You have to rob me of my faith if you were to rob me of my love for God. Knowing that people are after me to steal my faith helps remind me that faith is a gift that must be protected, and cherished. The lyric when its says that others guys cannot keep themselves from wanting or needing Bernadette. This reminds me of the church's teaching that humans are religious beings. We were designed to long for God. I love the lyrics when its is said that Bernadette is responsible for bringing peace and joy into this man's life. This lyric reminds me to praise God for the joy I have in my life and thank him for blessing me so. When I think about peace and joy i think about the Evangelist John's idea that the kingdom of God is a reality to be lived NOW-- that I must help bring God's peace, and joy to others. I need to help bring slices of heaven down to Earth. there are three lyrics that begin with the line "I tell the world..." What follows would be public prayers of praise if I indeed tell the world God "belongs to me" (he's my God) "you're the soul of me" (God is the reason for my existence) "you're a part of me" (I cannot separate myself from God). Finally the lyric "the only joy in life is to be loved." I use this verse to remind me that God's love should be a cause for joy in my life and to embrace his love so that I can be filled with joy. But its not all about me i need to help make sure others feel God's love because it brings joy. The forms of prayer most expressed in Bernadette would be Adoration and Praise. Over and over again the characteristics of Bernadette can be seen as blessing God for having those characteristics as well. Praise comes in when the lyrics talk about all the awesome things Bernadette does for those who long to be with her.
***Remember you do not have to find songs. If you rather share with me a unique way one could informally pray then give me an explanation with an example. Ask Questions for any further clarification. Questions should be sent to my SCHOOL email.
Here are the links to the two songs I mentioned.
"Bernadette" by the Four Tops
LYRICS AUDIO
"Cold Cash and Colder Hearts" by Thrice
AUDIO w/ LYRICS
Here are some more examples. Many contain verses that need a "Christian Perspective."
"You Make Me Smile" by Aloe Blacc
AUDIO LYRICS
"Another Day" by Jamie Lidell
AUDIO LYRICS
"Carries On" by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
AUDIO LYRICS
"Never Gonna Give You Up" by Raphael Saddiq
AUDIO LYRICS
(Not the first verse)
"Nite becomes day" by Citizen Cope
Audio Lyrics
Here is a lil clip from the documentary "Standing in The Shadows of Motown" It talks about the great James Jamerson.
VIDEO
