In the Lord I’ll Be Ever Thankful, Brother Jacques Bertiher, Taize
Devotion
The text for today's hymn cannot be published due to copyright limitations. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Shortly after World War II, in the small village of Taize in eastern France, Brother Roger and a few others began to gather daily in the former war zone to pray for reconciliation and unity among Christians. From this gathering a vital ecumenical center for prayer has emerged as over 100 brothers welcome guests who join in the discipline of Bible study and prayer, as well as for silence and spiritual direction in a beautiful country setting near Lyon, France. My wife, Karen, and I have attended three week-long summer pilgrimages and have encouraged others to visit Taize and to pray with the Taize cross in Minnesota and in our synod and local congregational worship. The repetitive chants are a profound way to pray with thousands of people along with silence and the holy icons. The exchange with God becomes real for us in prayer: by His word and by the sacraments Christ gives himself to us. In return we can surrender everything to God.
One of the most significant chants that I pray often with my family and in worship settings is only five lines long, but is filled with hope and faith. It is from brother Jacques a long time composer in the Taize Community. It is titled "In the Lord I'll be Ever Thankful." At Taize it is sung repeatedly from memory, in many languages by people from many cultures, and followed by silence. Sometimes it is part of worship at which thousands of young adults hold lit candles in silence in the presence of the mystery we call God.
Prayer
I invite you to sing or pray it with me now:
In the Lord I’ll be ever thankful
In the Lord I will rejoice
Look to God do not be afraid
Lift up your voices, the Lord is near
Lift up your voices, the Lord is near. Amen.