“Right at the depth of the human condition, lies the longing for a presence, the silent desire for a communion. Let us never forget that this simple desire for God is already the beginning of faith.”

     ~Brother Roger, Taizé Community

 

 

     Taizé is pronounced Ti (short i sound)-zay (long a sound, accent on the last syllable) and is based on a format developed by the Taizé Community, a monastic group in France. Taizé uses songs in various languages – primarily English and Latin – though we will only use English!

     The Taizé Prayer service involves no sermon, but periods of silence and song intended to penetrate the spirit. The Word speaks through the music, working into the heart, soul and mind, strengthening and nourishing the spirit.

Using just a few words the choruses 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.

     These songs also sustain personal prayer. Through them, little by little, our being finds an inner unity in God. They can continue in the silence of our hearts when we are at work, speaking with others or resting. In this way prayer and daily life are united. They allow us to keep on praying even when we are unaware of it, in the silence of our hearts. Those who lead the music and sing the cantors must always remember that they are not giving a performance for the others.

            We  begin a simple prayer song. It will be repeated a number of times, and as the group becomes familiar with it, begin to meditate on the words by singing along. As the group is drawn deeper into prayer, a cantor or small assembly may sing additional lines of prayers in descant. The people may continue singing the melody, allowing the Spirit to speak more deeply into the soul. If you desire, you may sing along with the prayer-descant.

     You will be directed as we move into each prayer-song and instructed on how to allow the Spirit to speak to your own heart and mind. Sometimes there will be several vocalists and musicians around the room so as to be as unobtrusive as possible, allowing the music to surround you as you worship. Though a sermon is not usually included in the Taizé worship, there may be  some teaching and a brief meditation. 

     Usually, there will be  stations  for prayer and meditation of a variety of styles and media to make available several ways you may offer prayers of thanksgiving and confession as you are compelled.

My prayer is that we will all be open to hearing the Spirit of God during this time worshiping together. It is absolutely thrilling to be one in Spirit with you each Sunday. Let us not allow anything to get in the way of worshiping our God together and listening to Yahweh’s heart for us!