Sample Lesson from "Music as Prayer: Gateway to the Soul"

A CD and Prayer guide created by Christine Nafziger

Story Behind the Song

Only One Holy One speaks of an experience my church community went through with our pastor, Richard Headings. He was diagnosed with cancer and although at some points the outcome looked hopeful, in April 2003 (two years after his diagnosis) his condition became progressively worse. Dick died on June 26, 2003, one day after his 62nd birthday.

Words to this song came to me as I struggled with the death of our pastor. I had been reading a book that talked about how we should be more specific in our praying, because God wants to bless us in so many ways if only we ask. I began ptaying specifically for Dick's physical healing here on earth and trying my hardest to believe that God would heal him. When Dick died, I struggled with why God didn't heal him here and now. I read the story of the man with leprosy in Mark 1: "A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed. 'If you want to, you can make me well again,' he said. Moved with pity, Jesus touched him. 'I want to,' he said. 'Be healed!"' NLT). I became angry and confused. If Jesus had wanted to, could have healed Dick. So why didn't he?

I still can't answer that question. Sometimes I am with that; other times I'm not. What I have learned is that while God does want to hear our requests, our pleas, our questions, and our anger, prayer is not about getting God to do things our way. God did heal Dick, although not in the specific way I asked. Even while we present our requests to God, we must acknowledge that God is sovereign. His ways are far beyond what we can comprehend. So although we walk this journey with questions that remain unanswered, we continue to follow the One who is worthy of all our trust.

Guided Prayer

Reflecting on God Sovereignty

One of the gifts Dick left with us is the following prayer he offered as encouragement to my husband and me during a discernment meeting in I invite you to begin your reflection time with this benediction:

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21, NIV

1. What is happening (has happened) in your life that you don't understand?
2. What questions would you like to ask God about it?
3. What do you sense God is saying to you about your struggle?
4. Can you see God in the midst of it? If so, where? If not, what do you see?
5. What is your understanding of God's sovereignty?
6. What does it mean that God is the only one for you?

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Used with permission by Christine Nafziger