NSW: Meditative Prayer using the songs of Taizé

Singing is one of the most essential elements of worship. Short songs, repeated again and again, give it a meditative character. Using just a few words they express a basic reality of faith, quickly grasped by the mind. As the words are sung over many times, this reality gradually penetrates the whole being. Meditative singing thus becomes a way of listening to God. It allows everyone to take part in a time of prayer together and to remain together in attentive waiting on God, without having to fix the length of time too exactly.

The origins of Taizé

Taizé music comes from the Taizé Community, a French ecumenical religious community founded in 1940. The hallmark ministries of this community are ecumenical prayer and hospitality, and music plays a significant role in both.

“Look, you tell me, I am singing. Yes indeed, you are singing; you are singing clearly, I can hear you. But make sure that your life does not contradict your words. Sing with your voices, your hearts, your lips and your lives.” – St. Augustine

Why you might pray with Taizé music

There are many benefits to praying with Taizé music. First, in the same way that a sport moves an athlete to focus on the game and not the outside world, the meditative music of Taizé can help us to leave behind our many distractions and concentrate on the Lord. If you are particularly prone to intellectualise prayer, or if you desire to pray more intentionally from the heart, the music of Taizé could be of great help.

Second, the music of Taizé is catchy—in a good way! Like any good song, you may find yourself humming a refrain after praying with this music. Unlike secular music, the songs of Taizé are aimed at praising God and drawing us deeper into relationship with God. If you want your prayer to echo throughout your day, consider praying with Taizé music.

Finally, Taizé music can help us establish a rhythm of prayer. The music itself structures time for us while the lyrics give us the words to pray. If making time for prayer or finding words to speak from the heart has been a struggle, the music of Taizé might be a helpful aid.

Taizé Night of Prayer

Hosted by NSW Ecumenical Council
Friday, June 12, 2020 at 6 PM – 6:45 PM
Online Event
A reflective night and night of song and praise – Taize Songs
By ZOOM: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6048830385