“To sing is to pray twice”

There might be some debate if these words “to sing is to pray twice” are truly words of Augustine. Some suggest they could be attributed to Martin Luther, and on and on it goes! During this pandemic not only are we missing the opportunity to gather together for worship, yet even when two or three have been able to gather “singing” has been excluded!

Turning through the pages of the hymn book not so much to sing but to read aloud we can encounter real beauty in the rhythm of words and delight in the images they create, the stories they tell, and the truth they declare.

Take a moment and give yourself the pleasure of reading aloud the following words of the hymn “I was there to hear your borning cry”

I was there to hear your borning cry,
I’ll be there when you are old.
I rejoiced the day you were baptized,
to see your life unfold.
I was there when you were but a child,
with a faith to suit you well;
In a blaze of light you wandered off
to find where demons dwell

When you heard the wonder of the Word
I was there to cheer you on;
You were raised to praise the living Lord,
to whom you now belong.
If you find someone to share your time
and you join your hearts as one,
I’ll be there to make your verses rhyme
from dusk ’till rising sun.

In the middle ages of your life,
not too old, no longer young,
I’ll be there to guide you through the night,
complete what I’ve begun.
When the evening gently closes in,
and you shut your weary eyes,
I’ll be there as I have always been
with just one more surprise.

I was there to hear your borning cry,
I’ll be there when you are old.
I rejoiced the day you were baptized,
to see your life unfold. John C. Ylvisaker

Our lives move on, one thing leads to another, and all around us is the mystery and majesty of God’s grace, noticed and unnoticed.

Prayer
Loving God,
The scriptures remind me
I am fearfully and wonderfully made
The hairs of my head are numbered.
You are my Light and salvation
Your love goes ahead of me
To welcome me.
Your love follows me
Keeping me safe.
Your love is ever present
From birth to life
From life to death
From death to resurrection.
I am
Everywhere encircled
by your love and grace.
I sleep and wake
In praise of you
My Lord and my God. Amen.