*Last night our Centering Prayer group hosted a Taize Prayer service. It was so, so lovely. This is what I wrote about the experience last year.
We turn down the lights and light the candles, because God is Light; (and) in him there is no
darkness at all. We move the sanctuary around…arranging the chairs in two
concentric circles around the table with all those flickering luminaries. And
we wait for dusk.
Those who come are instructed to enter in silence…and soon we
are one, our hearts twined together by the simple weaving of silence and Word
and song. It is my first Taize* prayer service, but I am swept away in our
voices lifted together, layer after layer billowing up like smoke. And when we
sing O Christe Domine Jesu, I think
my heart might break for the beauty.
They leave much the way they came, in silence; in prayer. We
move the chairs back and extinguish the candles. The smell of melted wax
permeates the air and my heart is molten too.
And when we step out into the night, I can smell the Holy.
*Taize prayer originated in a Protestant monastery in Taize, France during the Second World War. In the beginning this place was a sanctuary for second World War refugees, particularly Jews persecuted by the Nazi regime. It is a simple service—combining prayer, silence, and liturgy to bring us into the presence of God. The service has elements that date from the third century C.E. and is rooted in the Jewish custom of a ritual blessing of light. Today the Taize community is made up of more than a hundred brothers from all Christian denominations who work in the village outside the monastery and live together in community following the rule of St. Benedict.
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21 comments:
This is a beautiful reminder of how much we need those quiet times with God. Thanks!
So glad you shared this, Laura. Just last week I was able to participate in a Taize service for the very first time. I had never even heard of it until then. It took me a few minutes to adjust to the repetitive pace, but once I did, it was wonderful, and I hope to have another opportunity sometimes to participate again.
I've also recently joined a Centering Prayer group. Oh my. It's a whole new realm of prayer for me. I have much to learn.
This is lovely. I clicked through here from another blog because Taize has been part of my spiritual practice since college. You capture the magic of it well. All blessings -
I love Taize services. We hold on during Advent and have talked about doing one during Lent but never have. peaceful and worshipful, aren't they?
This sounds just lovely. I would love to experience a Taize service! Some day, I NEED one...
I have never participated in a Taize service but, during my three weeks in PA, I worshiped in three different churches and participated in my first Ash Wednesday service. And then there was Jubilee. I was deeply moved by having the opportunity to stand next to brothers and sisters I don't often see and worship next to them. Did you see my tears as we sang together, "How Great is Our God?"
sold.
i am gonna find one of these and experience it myself. thanks, Laura. as usual, you wake me to wonder and to the quiet yearning deep within.
Good Morning, Laura ~
This I needed to read, to discover, to savor this morning. How we crave His presence, His peace, His still small voice, His community.
Thank you ...
I first heard of a Taize service many years ago and have always wondered what it would be like to participate in one. Beautiful pictures here, Laura! Thank you.
Sounds like an amazing time of worship, Laura. Thanks for sharing this intimate peek into that special day and time.
Laura: This must have been a wonderful service! Thank you for sharing this. I am in the middle of reading Richard Foster's book on prayer (a life-changing read indeed!), and this fits in so nicely with what God has been speaking to me about through the reading.
I've attended a number of Taize services in our area - all wonderful. I find I prefer them to the more formal and traditional Episcopal services.
What a beautiful experience! I love the idea of having a centering prayer group.
Hey, I recognize those birds. :)
The silence and the waiting are so challenging, but I can see those candles and feel the Spirit here in these words. Sounds like such a blessed time.
I participated in a Taize class a few years ago. It is so stilling, so peaceful. Oh, this post makes me long for another one.
An amazing photo and post -- I can hear the stillness and feel the light of the Spirit. Thanks for sharing the beauty & for hosting, & God bless.
Laurie
http://savedbygracebiblestudy.blogspot.com/
I've never heard of Taize, but this photo makes me want to experience it. Beautiful!
What an interesting experience. Your pictures are so lovely. I miss the intercessory prayers times with a group that are not so silent as we pray for our world, our nation, cities, neighborhoods, and families.
How blessed you are, Laura, to have access to such a worship service. Thanks for painting delicate and tender word-pictures of worship.
Just reading about your experience quiets me. Thank you for sharing this again.
Reading this brought a peace to my heart. I'd love to experience it.
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