O God, thank you for reminding us on this hymn sing Sunday, that every hymn is also a prayer to you. Forgive us for taking our hymnals for granted because they express through song what we often find difficult to express on our own. From our favorite hymns to our least favorite hymns, thank you for this wide array of melodies and poems that inspire us, that challenge us, that encourage us, that lifts us, that renews us, and that reminds us of who we are and who you are calling us to be.
As our hymn writer says, “I’m gonna sing when the Spirit says sing and I’m gonna pray when the Spirit says pray.” And so, turn this song into a prayer as we lift up to you the many joys and concerns that are on our hearts today. We pray for your healing, comforting, guiding, and loving presence to be with each of these prayer needs. Just as the melodies from our hymns that we have been singing this morning have been a blessing to us, may they also be heard by all who are in particular need of you this day.
May the music of this place go beyond these walls and into our homes and to the places we travel. When the Spirit says sing, lead us to sing. And when the Spirit says pray, lead us to pray. Even now, lead us to pray this prayer that Jesus taught us to say together…
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
