Mere Dog Music

By David A. Skates

What is it about Christian music, especially songs of praise and worship, that makes it so powerful?  What is it about Christian music that brings a smile to your face?  That lifts your spirits when you’re feeling down?  Saint Augustine once said, “He who sings prays twice.”  What is it about Christian music that makes his words ring true?

When we allow Christian music to penetrate our hearts and minds, then flow out of us in praise and worship, universal vibrations are unleashed that can help us sing, clap, dance, and open up our minds and hearts to God.  It is a beautiful way to praise God and thank him for the beauty around us and his precious gifts to us.  If, as the old saying goes, “music hath charms to sooth the savage beast,” Christian music can do even more.  It can help to lift a person out of depression; it can lessen the stresses and other negative feelings of everyday life; it can bring a smile to your face and joy to a hurting heart.  A different world surrounds us when we tune into God in song.

Many people love to listen to songs of faith when they get up in the morning.  It fills them with positive energy to face whatever’s coming.  I love to push a favorite disc into my car’s CD player and sing along as I drive to work.  It prepares me for the day.  Christian music has that power.

Other people make listening to Christian music a regular part of their time with God when they pray and read from the Bible.  The music helps them to focus on God and turn their prayers and readings into praise.

There was a time when Christian music had to be a hymn tune or a classical piece with soothing melodic lines.  That all changed in the 1970s with the birth of Contemporary Christian Music.  Christian music now comes in all genres often rocking out on guitars and drums.  Whatever your personal preference in a musical style, you can find it on iTunes or Rhapsody.  While the melody and beat may vary, what ultimately makes Christian music “Christian” and crosses all genres are the lyrics that speak of our mighty God and Savior.

Contemporary Christian Music has proven to be a powerful outreach tool.  There are many testimonials of non-believers listening to and really enjoying the music that is playing only to discover later that it was “Christian.”  You get the same rhythm and sound that rock and roll, reggae or country music has, but the words are more uplifting.  Many people find that unconsciously listening to contemporary Christian music makes them feel better because it has such a positive message.

Listening to Christian music is a great way to reach out to your friends with the good news of Jesus.   Offer to drive and then put in one of your worship CDs or turn on one of your favorite Christian music stations.  They are often advertisement free with positive bantering between the announcers (and even the news men and women).  Let your friends listen to the music, feel the beat and soak in the words.  You will probably get a lot of questions on what the song’s name is or who the band is because your friend won’t recognize them.  Pretty soon, though, they will be singing along and looking for the opportunity to download one of their favorite Christian songs.  What a perfect time to speak to them about the love of God and the forgiveness Jesus Christ can bring.

And when you know the song, don’t forget to sing along.  Remember, “He who sings prays twice.”