A Prayer for Worshiping with Self-Control

You might be surprised to find that Scripture does not only connect singing to joy and celebration but to sobriety and discipline (see Ephesians 5 and Colossians 3). And so, here is a final prayer for musical worship based on the ninth fruit of the Spirit: self-control.

Heavenly Father, you command us to “rejoice always,” to treat our singing not merely as a celebratory outburst but as a regular discipline (1 Thess. 5:16). Whatever we are feeling or facing, bring us together tomorrow for purposeful praise. Quiet our restless hearts, still our busy minds, and strengthen our tired bodies so that we might worship you with clarity and intentionality.

We confess that we often treat singing as an “extra,” as something we can skip over so long as we make it to our seats in time for the sermon. Convict us, Lord. Remind us that when we prioritize singing, we practice self-control (Eph. 5:18–21). Use our musical worship to set our minds on higher things and align our hearts with your truth.

Thank you for instituting singing as a rhythm in our lives. Thank you for this pleasant and useful discipline. Help us to make the most of our time together tomorrow, magnifying your name through both our singing and self-control.

Amen.

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Ryanne_JM

Ryanne Molinari (MLitt, University of St. Andrew’s) is a pianist/organist, pastor’s wife, and lover of words. She is the author of Spirit-Filled Singing: Bearing Fruit as We Worship Together, and her writing has been published in journals such as the Journal of the T. S. Eliot Society (UK). Connect with Ryanne by subscribing to her blog or following her on Instagram.