Chris' prayer: Tim Hughes' "Oh, Happy Day"

I think I'll always remember the first time I heard this song. It was at Encounter, a praise and worship/adoration session that I go to every month. It was so memorable because it was the culmination of such a wonderful, wonderful adoration experience. But what I remember most was how this song was prayed by a young woman seated near me.

It was clear that she already knew all the words to the song, and even knew some motions that, presumably, her youth group had learned. But what set her apart from all of the others doing the same motions and singing the same lyrics was the incredible authenticity with which she prayed. I could tell that, no matter how great my adoration experience had been, hers had easily been 10 times as powerful. The way she sang, the way she danced, the way she prayed exuded the lyrics that Hughes sings. She was experiencing endless joy, perfect peace, the ceasing of earthly pain, and she was celebrating, truly celebrating Jesus' presence in her life and in our world.

Every time I hear this song, I think of that young woman, and I try to match the enthusiasm and authenticity with which she prayed that night.


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Megan's prayer: Tim Hughes' "Oh Happy Day"

I am Yours Jesus You are mine.

I absolutely love this line of the song. There is something so intimate, so personal.

The first part of the line is not "I am your friend" or "I am your follower" or "I am your servant".

The second part of the line is not "I am your savior" or "I am your king" or "I am your God".

I am Yours Jesus You are mine.

There are no descriptors. It's simple, it's easy, it's perfect.

Erinnicole's Prayer: Tim Hughes' "Oh Happy Day"

Forever I am changed

the word "changed" has always had a negative connotation in my life. especially this past weekend. ive had three people i care about tell me i have changed. it is hurting me but I'm not sure how to change "back". i don't want to move backward but i know that i definitely need to move forward. so while, unlike the song, it was most certainly not a happy day for me today (well it was until about an hour ago anyway) it does bring me some comfort and joy to know that Jesus can and will change me if i let Him...and He will change me for the better. which i need. and i definitely need forgiveness and it will be a magnificently happy day when i can be the person God intended me to be. i just need help to get there. and Jesus can give that. amen.

Marie's Prayer: Tim Hughes' "Oh Happy Day"

I'll never be the same

Thinking about this lyric reminds me of how many times I change my mind at the last minute and I never have the same opinion on the things I thought I was so sure of. Lately I have begun to wonder if I am Bipolar. I have reason too because my grandma's nephew is Bipolar and I have to admit I have wild mood swings. I don't usually have the same outlook on things one moment to the next and I am never the same. This really affects my spiritual life because one moment I can be "Alright, prayer! Yes!" and the next thing I know, I am doubting everything I believe. I have to realize that I probably will never be the same. And sometimes, that's okay.

Catie's prayer: Tim Hughes' "Oh Happy Day"

Oh happy day, happy day
I'll never be the same
Forever I am changed

Lately I've been trying to make a better effort about being in a good mood. I'm starting to make a conscious effort remembering throughout my day that God loves me and all those around me and also HOW MUCH he loves us. Christ thinks we are worth dying for. I think that's a good enough reason to be happy, to live our lives in a way that reflects that love. Everyday could be a happy day, it's all a matter of how we look at it.