No one, it seems, prays as frequently or as fervently as they would like. The Christians in my life, including the Christian writing this article, often consider their prayer lives disappointing and discouraging.
And so I was excited to find some encouragement for prayer from one whom many might think an unlikely person: John Calvin. Calvin may be more widely known for his dour (and biblical) assessment of humanity than for his pep-talk motivations, but given the discouragement we all feel about our prayers, we need all the encouragement we can get.
Many Congregational Songs Are Prayers
Here is his encouragement (taken from his Institutes 3.20.31): Calvin considers congregational songs to be sung prayers. Singing, in his sense, is a means to an end: not actually something that church attenders do as much as a way that they do something.
Consider this paradigm. Think of that song of adoration that you love to sing. That is a sung prayer of adoration. Think of a classic hymn that reminds you of God’s faithfulness. That is a sung prayer of thanksgiving. Think of that wonderful new chorus where you declare your intention to live for God. That is a sung prayer of dedication. Think of that upbeat song loved by the student ministry in your church. That is a sung prayer of celebratory delight.
Sure, not all songs can be sung prayers. Songs that are sung to other believers are best described as sung exhortations. Other songs can be sung statements of belief (creeds) or even narrative testimonial songs. But many of the songs you love to sing at church are sung prayers.
So, Calvin would say, if you love singing to God, you love to pray. Now that is encouraging.
How Singing Helps Praying
Calvin goes on to explain four ways that singing helps our prayers. First, singing our prayers helps us unite our gathered church. Calvin writes that sung public prayers are remarkable because “with one common voice, as it were, with the same mouth, we all glorify God together.” When an entire congregation sings corporate prayers, it encourages the individual believer. Calvin writes, “We do this openly, that all men mutually, each one from his brother, may receive the confession of faith and be invited and prompted by his example.”
