Singing and Praying
Scripture Reading — Luke 1:46-56
“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.”
St. Augustine once said, “He who sings prays twice.” This happened in the home of Elizabeth when her cousin Mary burst into song and prayer. Mary realized that God loved her with amazing lavishness and grace. She responded with overflowing gratitude for the gift of God that grew in her womb. There’s no better way to respond to a miracle than to praise God in song and prayer.
This means we have to make a deliberate decision. We have to choose not to listen to our personal playlists and pay attention to Mary’s song. When we do, we’ll find ourselves humming a different tune.
We might even join Mary in singing, “I’m bursting with God-news; I’m dancing the song of my Savior God. . . . What God has done for me will never be forgotten, the God whose very name is holy, set apart for all others” (Luke 1:46-49, The Message).
Mary sang of God’s strength to deliver the proud and boastful to their rightful place of ruin. Tyrants and dictators don’t give up control willingly; it has to be broken by someone greater. God can do that.
We have to give up our desire for control. Mary kept her heart and hands open for God to fill. She prayed and sang with a heart of humility.
How about you?
Dear Jesus, I want to sing of your tender mercies with a heart of humility. May I make Mary’s song my own today. In your name, Amen.
About the author — Reginald Smith
Dr. Reginald Smith is senior pastor at Roosevelt Park Community Christian Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he has served for seventeen years. He has also served as a pastor in Paterson, New Jersey. He and his wife, Sharon, have three daughters, Janelle, Katrina, and Mariah.
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