Praying Twice

Last Sunday, I had the privilege of officiating for Solemn Evensong at St. Paul’s Cathedral in San Diego. It was a very powerful experience—the masterful harmonies of the choir, the light flowing through the stained glass onto the stone walls, the rising cloud of incense, and the reverberation of the whole congregation singing hymns and prayers all helped to lift our hearts heavenward, allowing the beauty of the service to point to the beauty of God. Surrounded by such splendor, I couldn’t help but feel we were experiencing something of the worship in heaven.

As I reflected on the beauty of the service, I was reminded of the saying attributed to St. Augustine: “He who sings prays twice.” When we sing, we express our emotions, our longings, our hopes—we express what is often inexpressible through words alone. To sing is to pray not only the words of the song, but to reach out to God with the longings of our hearts. In so doing, we offer to God “our selves, our souls, and bodies.” Singing opens us up to God. And it isn’t only singing—every action we do in worship is an expression of prayer. Every bow, every swing of a thurible, every handshake at the peace, every offering, every response or communal prayer opens us up in a unique way to the God whom we have come to worship.

I experienced true beauty at the Cathedral. Experiences like these stir us up to greater devotion and contemplation of the beauty of God. Yet what is most beautiful in the Church is not the most sublime choir or the most beautiful building, but the participation of God’s people as they “pray twice.”

Not everyone sings well. But to God, all singing is beautiful! Indeed, every posture and action of worship, however well or poorly done, is beautiful to God and transformative for us. Because in these actions, we bring our whole selves to God. In our worship, we “pray twice,” with words and without them. So next time you’re in service, take time to enjoy our amazing musicians and the beauty of our liturgies—and take a leap of courage and sing! Participate as fully as you can. Because as you “pray twice,” you will begin to experience the true beauty of God.

Father Jacob+