tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2063226095666261781.post8205409205792724905..comments2024-02-28T14:08:48.430+01:00Comments on A Yearning Heart's Journey: Why Do We Repeat Phrases in Worship and Prayer?Benjamin Schäferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14661827092578677661noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2063226095666261781.post-10218763425635562472017-04-18T15:23:48.637+02:002017-04-18T15:23:48.637+02:00Hey Daniel,
I wrote this article with the intentio...Hey Daniel,<br />I wrote this article with the intention to show that phrase repetition, as frequently found in contemporary worship, is a biblical practice and doesn't necessarily stem from esoteric practices (as some assume). But your points are legitimate, so let me respond to them.<br /><br />"after the third time it just loses its power" - I would argue that Jesus' point in Luke 18 was to show that that's not true. It may lose its power in our eyes, but it doesn't in God's eyes. That's the point I see Jesus making in this parable of the widow and the unjust judge to encourage us to not stop especially when it seems like it's not getting anywhere. God looks beyond the words straight to the heart, and if the "I love You" is sincere, it's just as powerful after 100 times in His ears as it has been the first time we said it.<br /><br />To differentiate repetition in the biblical sense from that used in tantra (which must be done!), the main difference I see is that we don't do it to produce emotions or get ourselves in some hypnotized state, we do it to proclaim truth and to be obedient to what He said we should do (see some of the verses mentioned in the article). The first is self-centered, the biblical one is God-centered. Again, the idea of the Luke 18 parable seems exactly to encourage us to go on praying even/especially when we don't feel anything.<br /><br />Hope that helps ans sheds some light on the matter!Benjamin Schäferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14661827092578677661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2063226095666261781.post-8788242697712205502017-04-08T20:54:29.331+02:002017-04-08T20:54:29.331+02:00Dear Benjamin,
Thank you for your clear explanati...Dear Benjamin,<br /><br />Thank you for your clear explanation about this subject.<br />I'm still not sure about the worship-part though.<br />In my experience you sometimes cannot do anything other then just keep repeating how great and wonderful God is, but there are also times when after the third time it just looses its power. It's the same when I would constantly tell my wife that I love here, say like three times a hour. She would say "Yeah I hear you", or would take it for granted, like it isn't something special anymore.<br />But the biggest pitfall for me is that it is becoming something like tantra to come into a state of trance. I know this is also done in hindoeïsme and i'm just not sure if this is right for christians. Thereby worship is mostly singing a prayer and Jesus said in Matthew 6:7-8 "And when you pray, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. So do not be like them [praying as they do]; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him". So i'm not sure what to think of those endless repetitions in worship.<br />What is your view on this matter?<br />Thank you,<br />DanielAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com