Hear the Prayers That Rise

Like a room lit by candles and filled with incense, these Taizé-style songs inspire prayer. Simple and meditative, with easy-to-sing, repeating refrains, they unite Christians of every background, drawing them into a place of peace and worship.

135 songs, including 30 new titles
A landmark release, Hear the Prayers That Rise offers 135 songs for use in and outside the liturgy. It's perfect for Communion and other processions, reconciliation services, Liturgy of the Hours, ordinations and more.

Music by more than 35 well-known composers
Presenting more than 30 new compositions, the collection also includes the several popular songs of Jacques Berthier (1923-1994), whose music has served the Taizé community for over three decades. More than 35 composers contributed to the project, including Barbara Bridge, Bernadette Farrell, Bob Hurd, Paul Inwood and Mercy Sister Suzanne Toolan.

From energetic gathering songs to quiet chants
The resource encompasses a variety of musical forms: litanies, rounds and canons, responses, acclamations and ostinatos (musical phrases sung repeatedly in the nature of a mantra). Styles range from more energetic gathering and praise songs to quiet chants for centering and meditation. Many songs can be sung without accompaniment.

Great for churches, retreat centers, prayer groups and more
Hear the Prayers That Rise will be especially welcome in small faith communities, prayer groups, retreat centers and churches hosting contemplative prayer services. For those who already have Taizé music in their repertoire, it makes a great supplement.

Music that unites, music that's easy to learn and sing
An ecumenical resource, Hear the Prayers That Rise cuts across denominational lines. People from every Christian community will feel at home singing these Christ-centered songs. Simple and easy-to-learn, this is music any group can use -- no matter their level of resources.

Includes sample order of service and song suggestions
The preface offers practical suggestions for using the music in a prayer service and includes an order of service, Scripture readings and sample intercessions. A topical/seasonal index helps the user find appropriate songs for each part of the service.

Music that creates a "vestibule to the sacred"
Sister Toolan has used many of these chants in a first Friday service that's been running for 25 years. It draws people from 100 miles away.

"They arrive," she describes in the foreword, "they come into the dimly lit chapel and they find themselves singing a quiet chant, a chant that becomes, as it were, a 'vestibule' to the sacred. Powerful as it is, this insistent, meditative music doesn't lead people to forget their troubles," she explains. Instead, it invites them to bring their troubles to the cross.

Create a climate of prayer and peace in your community. Introduce the music of Hear the Prayers That Rise!