Liturgical prayers vs Individuality
The past few months have witnessed me becoming a fairly big fan of liturgy. I don't completely know why that is. I haven't ever really been involved in a church that has liturgical services, nor was I raised with a terribly positive view of liturgy in the church. "Ya' just don't feel anything, ya' know." Yet here I sit, typing away about my wish to see liturgy playing a more central role in evangelical America. Okay, it might be because I've read the Internet Monk one too many times, it might be because I'm a traditionalist, and it's quite likely (at least partly) due to the fact that liturgy is like singing, but you don't have to have a good singing voice to do it - good for you if you're the one reciting, and good for those around you that play captive audience to your less than perfect singing voice. See, liturgy serves practical purposes.
I think liturgy is good for the Church on a much deeper level too, especially the American Church. It seems like ever since the 1960's, everyone in America is seeking extreme individuality. This is not in and of itself a bad thing. From a Biblical standpoint, it's clear that the Spirit gives certain gifts to certain people to be used in certain ways. Great! Good for individuality!
The problem is individualistic Christians sometimes seem to ignore the fact that while we are individuals, we are part of a covenant Community - one Body.
Liturgy kind of helps us to remember that. In liturgy, no one ever really tries to make sure they're the one saying it the loudest or that they have the prettiest voice. It's individuals putting their voices together with voices throughout the ages of the Church, to form one voice of praise or of edification or of teaching. An amazing thought really.
Many modern protestants, however, feel that liturgy just doesn't have enough feeling. If the prayer has been written down beforehand, it doesn't really count. If the thoughts were someone elses, it can never be mine.
I have to disagree. Liturgy is as heartfelt as the speaker allows it to be, and it is probably ridiculously prideful to think that our prayers are worth more than the prayers drawn out by Paul, or the ancient saints, or the contemporary saints, and especially Christ Himself.
How pleasing it must be to Christ to hear His own exemplary prayer flowing still from the hearts of His people.
Alas, I'm out of time, but look forward to my own personal reflections on the Lord's prayer.
Grace and Peace
I think liturgy is good for the Church on a much deeper level too, especially the American Church. It seems like ever since the 1960's, everyone in America is seeking extreme individuality. This is not in and of itself a bad thing. From a Biblical standpoint, it's clear that the Spirit gives certain gifts to certain people to be used in certain ways. Great! Good for individuality!
The problem is individualistic Christians sometimes seem to ignore the fact that while we are individuals, we are part of a covenant Community - one Body.
Liturgy kind of helps us to remember that. In liturgy, no one ever really tries to make sure they're the one saying it the loudest or that they have the prettiest voice. It's individuals putting their voices together with voices throughout the ages of the Church, to form one voice of praise or of edification or of teaching. An amazing thought really.
Many modern protestants, however, feel that liturgy just doesn't have enough feeling. If the prayer has been written down beforehand, it doesn't really count. If the thoughts were someone elses, it can never be mine.
I have to disagree. Liturgy is as heartfelt as the speaker allows it to be, and it is probably ridiculously prideful to think that our prayers are worth more than the prayers drawn out by Paul, or the ancient saints, or the contemporary saints, and especially Christ Himself.
How pleasing it must be to Christ to hear His own exemplary prayer flowing still from the hearts of His people.
Alas, I'm out of time, but look forward to my own personal reflections on the Lord's prayer.
Grace and Peace
posted by Andy at 10:59 AM
1 Comments:
I am a huge fan of liturgy. My church is all about it also. It's good to note that we carry a lot of stereotypes with having a liturgical service but once you go into with a God fearing/loving heart it is precious.
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