Everyone Prays in His Own Language

The title of my blog today comes from the words of Duke Ellington. The full quote is: "Everyone prays in his own language and there is no language that God does not understand." Many know Ellington as a jazz composer, but few people know that he also wrote some religious music. He actually wrote three sacred concerts in a jazz style which were performed throughout Europe and America. I wrote this song as I was preparing my thesis on the sacred concerts of Duke Ellington while in seminary. Hope you enjoy it.

Prayer

When through the soft and gentle night,
With timid voice and tear-soaked face,
Someone lifts up some words in light
Of searching for God's loving grace

When with a loud, gigantic voice,
Proclaiming it from town to town,
Remembering that grateful choice,
Someone thanks God for life and crown

When in a tongue from distant lands,
If nasal, gruff, or even odd,
With open eyes or unclasped hands,
Someone calls out, "Forgive me God"

With trumpet, harp, and tambourine,
With cymbals, lyres, and flutes, and strings,
With dancing, clapping, sights unseen,
Someone lifts up his voice and sings.

REFRAIN:
To God the Father, Christ the Son,
The Holy Spirit, Three in One
He understands each word we pray.
So share your heart with Him today.

Comments

Anonymous said…
very nice steve. it`s funny , thismorning i was reading in my bible thismorning about pauls thoughts on speaking in tongues and speaking in different laguages. also learned about the pagan religions and going to oracles for advice and the crazy behaviors of them. well i got of course rambling. AND YES GOD HEARS OUR GROANS OF SADNESS OR OUR CRYS FOR HELP. THE BEAUTIFUL THING IS HE DOESNT HAVE TO BUT HE GIVES US HIS beautiful grace. but i like reading yur mental musings. LOL. GOD BLESS AND TAKE CARE, ROBBIN
8:22 PM
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