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Hymns of Praise (Originally Published 9/26/2022)
- Catherine Bott
- Jan 8
- 3 min read
About a month ago, my husband and I went to some podunk church in the bowels of Detroit (membership of about 30) to hear Pastor James, a visiting minister, and one of our dearest friends, preach. Dexter James, around sixty-ish, just recently had his second leg surgically removed from the knee down due to his battle with diabetes.
The Reverend James is an amazing man. He operates a shelter for wayward men. James’ home helps men committed to a better life, find work as well as help the men develop new skills that can teaches them not only how to survive in the outside world but to become pillars of society.
The crux of Pastor James’ talk was to pray and sing hymns of praise every day. He used a Psalm from the Old Testament to support his sermon, which for me, was very effective. Never one to let a good idea slip through my mind without at least trying it, I made a mini commitment (you know, the “I’ll try it but no promises” commitment) to pray and sing hymns of praise every day.
I have a CD in my car from a great gospel group that I would occasionally listen to. Since James’ sermon, the CD has been my “go-to” stimulation on my way into work. Further, I find time to stop and do two prayerful things: 1) Give thanks in the morning and at night for something I am grateful for: fabulous staff, nice weather, beautiful house, good health and, of course, a great husband. Stopping your day to shift gears and give thanks for anything is a form of prayer. 2) Acknowledge the skills, goodness, deeds and accomplishments of others. Anytime one stops to think about anyone other than self and acknowledge ANYTHING good about someone else, the fringes of prayer have been visited.
Frankly, I am in awe at how different I’ve been feeling. Things don’t bother me as much. I’m calmer in the face of storms, and fear grips have definitely loosened. I am now singing along with The Gospel Truth in the mornings AND on the way home. Sometimes I think I’m sick of gospel music today, but it only seems to take a couple of bars into a gospel song, and I am hooked. Warm fuzzy feelings envelop me as I ask myself, why didn’t I want to hear this music today?
The picture accompanying this blog is me praying (giving thanks, actually) for the beauty of the swamp, the kayak to be in it with, the beautiful Sun warming my body and the time afforded to be there. Prayerfulness needn’t be rote or requesting. Giving thanks for one’s many blessings is a great form of prayer!
Why not try for 30 days replacing your auditory stimulation with music that could connect you to a power greater than yourself? Sing along. Who cares what the people in the car next to you think? Make a mini commitment to yourself to stop at least once a day to offer prayers of gratitude OR offer sincere compliments or appreciation of those other spirits who grace your world or both.
Dexter James’ mission is to help the human spirit manifest more light on our planet. I’ve joined the movement, won’t you?
AFFIRMATION: As I sing hymns of praise, I am filled with light.
“I'm Catherine Wilcox, working to help others see that God is in all things, all the time, through conscious change and self-healing.”
If you have found this message enlightening, please send it to one friend. This action will help my vision of a more enlightened species to help usher in the new healing Age of Aquarius.
Catherine Wilcox is a Conscious Change Coach, Mentor, emotional intuitive and Writer. If you like what you read here, then you may enjoy one of her Published Books:
Sacred Space (COMING SOON)
Sacred Relationship (COMING SOON)
**Catherine’s latest Book, The New Stone Age, Crystal Data for the 21st Century, contains ten chapters of information designed to help the novice and intermediate crystologist obtain the secrets to working with crystals to help the four mind-bodies balance chaotic energy.
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