Prayer for Illumination

  1. Amahoro
    By: Tracy Howe Wispelwey

    Amahoro” is a word from the Kirundi language, spoken in Burundi as well as adjacent parts of Tanzania, Uganda and the D.R. Congo. It is a common greeting meaning “peace” and is used in this song as a prayer and blessing that could be translated, “Let peace flow between us!”  Composer Tracy Howe Wispelwey is committed to composing songs that honor and draw from cultural traditions and communities that have been historically marginalized.  Congregations that love to sing songs like "We Are Marching In The Light of God"  (Siyaham' ekukhanyen' kwenkhos') will jump right on this one!

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  2. As We Gather Draw Us Nearer
    By: Andra Moran

    "As We Gather, Draw Us Nearer" marries the traditional hymn melody Beach Spring with vibrant images of nature, family, communion and belonging. This text explains holiness in a fresh, new way. It's a CMP staff favorite! Lyric video for this is coming soon! Learn More

  3. Be Still And Know
    By: Sherri Hansen

    This is a brand new song by composer Sherri Hansen based on the well known line from Psalm 46:10, "Be still and know that I am God." Sherri has done a beautiful job of putting to music the "subtraction prayer" practice by which a word is removed from this phrase until the word "be" is all that remains before going into silence. The audio was produced and performed by well known CMP artist Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan, and the still photos in the video were taken by Sherri Hansen. This simple but beautiful song is going to be used widely we're sure! Learn More

  4. Forsaken
    By: The Many

    Another gorgeous and soulful song of lament and longing by the Many. The lyrics were written by The Many's primary lyricist Lenora Rand, and the music by Lenora's husband Gary and daughter Hannah. This amazing family of co-writers and artists is blessing CMP and the Church with some of the best new worship music to be found. Taking it's cue from Jesus' cry on the cross from Psalm 22, this song taps into our experience of God's seeming absence in times of great struggle and pain, yet leans toward hope and faith and healing. Perfect for Lent and Holy week of course, but these themes are with us always and this song should and will be used throughout the year to help us express these deep and real longings of the human spirit for God to break in and break through. Learn More

  5. Gathering Hymn
    By: Ken Medema

    Ken Medema takes the familiar Ebenezer hymn tune and sets his original lyrics as a call to worship for many kinds of believers--those who are joyful, those who are broken, those without answers, and those who stand firm in faith. He reminds us that God asks us to gather in worship with our fears and our masks left at the door. Ken has created new music to lead us into each new verse. The hymn culminates in a prayer from the gathered for the journey ahead. This setting is highly suitable for congregational singing. Learn More

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