I recall a song, which I first
learned from the old Mission Praise songbook, beginning with the words ‘Lord
make me an instrument’. The third verse began with the words ‘Lord make us a
symphony, a symphony of worship’. There can be occasions when, at prayer meetings,
two or more people can spontaneously pray the same prayer. Instruments playing
in unison make a strong impact on the music but the richness of the symphony is
in the different lines of music. Different instruments playing different tunes,
some in a high register, some in a middle register, some deeper blend together
to create an infinite variety of sounds. Sometimes there is a delicate blend of
just a few instruments. At other times the whole orchestra is in full flow
together. Instruments play for a while then rest. There is a constant ebb and
flow of sound which makes up the power of the music to transport the listener.
And different instruments have
different sound qualities. Think of the plaintive oboe, the shrill piccolo, the
haunting French horn. Each adds a special effect to the music when required.
Part of the success of the symphony is in the intentional blending of the
sounds to create a variety of moods.
When we pray, we don’t all pray
in the same way, or at the same time. We have different personal qualities and
abilities. We use different language – and we focus on different issues.
Sometimes unison prayer brings out a melodic theme. At other times we are all
praying at the same time about different things. And God isn’t just listening…
I guess at times our symphony of
prayer must sound like the cacophony we associate with the orchestra tuning up
at the start of a concert. But God is the composer, conductor and audience.
When we pray ‘in his name’ we are alert to his baton, using our own special
qualities, not trying to be like another different instrument, ready at his
direction to blend our prayers and express our corporate concern and love for
God’s world. Under God’s guidance our prayers become more effective; the
symphony of prayer much more harmonious and full of melodies and
counter-melodies. But if we get it wrong and it does sound more like the
orchestra tuning up, remember this. I reckon God much prefers our cacophony to
our silence…..
