The Functions of Music in Prayer at the Spring House Community Church, Calabar

Abstract

The interaction of music and prayer in Nigerian Christianity has generated discussions among church denominations on the functions of music in prayer. Whereas most older denominations maintain that prayer time is sacrosanct and should as much as possible be devoid of distractions of which music is chief, new-generation churches accept the valence of music as an effective tool that enhances praying. Accordingly, vocal and instrumental music of a solemn nature is deployed together with prayers in these churches. While existing literature predominantly agrees that liturgical music enhances Christian worship, there is a scant focus on the interactions between music and the individual aspects of worship, such as prayer. To bridge this gap, I interrogated the various roles that music assumes during prayers in a typical Nigerian Pentecostal church. Vocal and instrumental music genres, song forms and sounds which make up what is herein referred to as ‘prayer music’ are highlighted and discussed for the possible rationale for its usage in prayers. Primary data for this study were generated from a 24-day prayer and fasting programme at the Spring House Community Church, Calabar. Other sources of data include interviews, participant observation, and existing literature relevant to the subject matter. Prayer music can enhance meditation, establish a tempo to prayer, and stimulate emotional responses which kindle the heart of congregants to pray. This study therefore, posits that prayer music in itself promotes, rather than inhibits congregational and individual praying because the character of prayer music complements prayer. To this end, I recommend the employment of prayer music during prayers in church worship.