Category: song

Theme: Change my heart, O God

 
 

“In contemplative prayer the saint (who knows himself to be a sinner, for none of us is whole, healed, and holy twenty-four hours a day) turns inward in what is called ‘the prayer of the heart,’ not to find self, but to lose self in order to be found.”

(Madeleine L’Engle)

 

This prayer sheet is inspired by the February 2022 theme of the month: Change.

In these prayers we ask God to transform our hearts so we may live in the truth he desires and faithfully pray for our hurting world.

For personal use or to share.

Continue reading “Theme: Change my heart, O God”

Fulfil / Fill my longing


Three’s company  (Photo: Irene Bom)

 
As a songwriter, it’s such a privilege to write songs inspired by our shared faith in Jesus. And it’s such a joy to share my songs in my local church and beyond, also on this platform.

For a few seasons now I have taken part in the 12-song challenge organised by resoundworship.org. It has kept me writing songs on a regular basis, even when I barely had the time or energy.

This month’s challenge was to write a Taizé type song. My song is based on two lines from the Call to Worship from our Advent service on “Longing”. Here is a recording I made yesterday, with some harmonies and counter melodies to give it something extra. Enjoy.

 
My soul thirsts
by Irene Bom


My soul thirsts for the Living God
Come, Lord, fill my longing
Living God, come fill my soul.
 

Call to worship

inspired by Psalm 42

As a deer longs for flowing streams,
so my soul longs for you, O God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
Come to us, Lord, and fill our longing.

from re:worship  (adapted)
 

From the blog
When hot and bothered
3 Prayers for wayfarers
Theme: Sharing in Jesus’ ministry [prayer sheet]
 

Longing for his appearing

 

This past Sunday I got to preach on the topic of “Longing” as part of our Advent series, Waiting, longing, hoping and praying for the Day of the Lord.

May God increase your longing for Jesus’ return as we move through Advent and on to another Covid-coloured Christmas. According to Paul, there is a crown of righteousness awaiting “all who have longed for his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:8).

 

Prayer

In the promise which is everywhere about us
Hold us, God

In the longing for a new world and new living
Cradle us, God

In the need to see advent’s revelation in our world
Direct us, God

In the silence of memories that haunt us
Comfort us, God

In the hunger for justice that aches in us
Feed us, God

In the yearning for love in each of our days
Reassure us, God

In the setting out of truth in our political world
Aid us, God

In the call for peace in our crazy world
Hear us, God

In the search for healing in our broken world
Find us, God

In the gathering round the table
Gather with us, God

In the breaking of bread and spilling of wine
Share with us, God

In the community of faith
Reveal yourself, God

 
— from the archives of the Church of Scotland’s Starters for Sunday website, posted on re:worship.
 

 
Resound Worship Podcast: One of my songs got mentioned

For a sample and review of the theme song I wrote for our Advent series, Waiting, longing, hoping and praying for the Day of the Lord, check out the Resound Worship Podcast, episode 91 (from 40:35 to 45:30).
 

Big strong tree

 
One of my early children’s song was inspired by a verse from Hosea 14 where God likens himself to a tree.
 

“Israel, have nothing to do with idols. I, the Lord, am the one who answers your prayers and watches over you. I am like a green pine tree; your blessings come from me.”

 

The original Hebrew word for “pine tree” is sometimes translated as fir tree, cypress tree or juniper. And the word “green” is variously translated as “evergreen”, “luxuriant”, “flourishing”, “growing”, “glorious”.

What a beautiful picture for God, who watches over us and makes our lives fruitful, if we put our trust in him.
 

 
BIG STRONG TREE
by Irene Bom (from Shepherd King Project)


 
Chorus:
Lord, You are like a big strong tree
And You help us live fruitfully
Lord, You are like a big strong tree
And You help us live for You.

1. You are like the dew
You make us all blossom like the lilies
You are like the dew

(Repeat chorus)

2. You are like the vine
We will grow if we live in You
You are like the vine

(Repeat chorus)

3. You are like the stream
You fill us up with life-giving water
You are like the stream

(Repeat chorus)
 

The First and Last

 

I wrote this song in 1999, but it really came into its own last year, more than 20 years later – sung in church as an encouragement to my congregation during lockdown, and accompanied on the ukelele at the bedside of someone who was dying. Now it’s my privilege to share a recording of this song with you, with my friend, Margriet, singing harmony.

 

THESE ARE THE WORDS
by Irene Bom

These are the words of the First and Last
The one who came, who died, who rose again
These are the words and the words are true
These are the words of Jesus to you.

I know, I know what you’re going through
I know, I know ’cause I’ve been there too
And be sure my love will carry you
all the way, all the way through.

These are the words of the First and Last
The one who came, who died, who rose again
These are the words and the words are true
These are the words of Jesus to you.

Fear not, fear not, there’s no need to fear
Fear not, fear not because I am here
And be sure My love will keep you strong
every day, all the day long.
 
—

Vocals: Irene Bom and Margriet van Overbeeke

Inspiration

This song is inspired by Jesus’ words to the church in Smyrna, as recorded in Revelation 2:8-10.

These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. I know … Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. … Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.

 

It’s a boy


(Photo: Irene Bom)
 
 

A Christmas greeting in the form of a song, recorded with my friend, Margriet, on backing vocals and percussion. You’re welcome to sing along.

 

EMMANUEL
by Irene Bom

1. Sing a song, a song of joy
Come along to see the boy
A baby boy who from heaven came
Emmanuel, Emmanuel is His Name

Chorus:
Emmanuel – God is with us
Emmanuel – God is with us
Emmanuel – God is with us
God is with us – Emmanuel

2. Shepherds heard the angels sing
Bringing news of a baby king
So they went without delay
To see the baby in a manger where he lay

(Repeat chorus)

3. Wise men came from afar
They were led by a star
They brought him gifts, gifts of joy
Gold and myrrh and frankincense for the boy

(Repeat chorus)
 

Extra Extra
Musical notation for Emmanuel.
More Christmas songs for all ages.
 

Through the rise and fall


(Photo: Irene Bom)
 
 
Here’s a song from my collection, one I wrote almost 20 years ago when some friends were going through a major crisis in their immediate family.

Now, as the whole world is reeling from this pandemic, may the words bring you comfort and these truths keep you anchored to Jesus – the same, yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8).

 
 

YESTERDAY, TODAY, FOREVER
by Irene Bom

Yesterday, today, forever Jesus is the same
All may change but Jesus never
Glory to His name.

He’s the same through the rise and fall of nations.
He’s the same, whether I believe or doubt.
He’s the same through all the changing seasons,
And His faithfulness and mercy won’t run out.

Yesterday, today, forever …
 

You can find notation for this song here.
For more songs, check out www.irenebom.com/songwriter
 

Rise up

 

Here’s a song I’m working on – based on Isaiah 40:31. The song might yet morph into something else. Meanwhile, I hope this version offers you some solace and encouragement.

 

Those who hope in the Lord (version 13-04-2020)
by Irene Bom

Those who hope in the Lord
shall renew their strength
They shall rise up like eagles.
They shall run and not grow weary
They shall walk and not faint
They shall rise up like eagles.
 

Did you know?

The ancients gave the symbol of the eagle to John’s gospel, for his writings help us to ‘rise up with wings as eagles’, glimpse things of heaven and hear what is God’s heart for us and for the world.

source: northumbriacommunity.org
 

Turn to the light


Rotterdam at twilight  (Photo: Irene Bom)

 

Here is a prayer inspired by Phos Hilaron — the earliest Christian hymn (outside of the Bible), dating from the 3rd or 4th century. Known as the “Lamp-lighting hymn,” it was traditionally sung as the evening lamps were lit.
 
May this prayer, inspired by those ancient words, give us words and inspiration as we to turn to God, our Gladsome Light, especially “in times of stress, fear, and grief, in times of blindness, temptation, danger, and perdition”.

 
 

Twenty-first Century Phos Hilaron

O God, who is light in the darkness,
      we pray for those among us who in the night hours work their shifts,
            or those who labor in places where light is dim.
Be for them and for us protection in the dark.

O God, who is the bright morning star,
      we pray for those among us who grieve the loss of loved ones,
            the tarnishing of innocence,
            the failing of health,
            the flight of security.
Be for them and for us a sure defense and the promise of a new day.

O God, who is sight to the blind,
      we pray for those among us whose eyes are clouded,
      who are blind in soul, mind, or body.
Be for them and for us both courage and sight.

O God, who is strength to the besieged,
      we pray for those among us who are beset by temptation,
            those who are in danger,
            those whose enemies are close and whose help seems far away.
Be for them and for us a present fortress against our foes.

O God, who is salvation to the lost,
      we pray for those among us who have never found your way,
            or who, having found it, have strayed from your path.
Be for them and for us the beacon that guides safely home.

O God who is comfort to the fearful,
      we pray for those among us who live in fear of threats real or imagined,
            whose lives are torn by war,
            whose thoughts are confused by mental illness,
            whose souls and bodies are ravaged by abuse.
Be for them and for us consolation and surety against anxiety.

Give us wisdom, O God, to turn to you in times of stress, fear, and grief,
      in times of blindness, temptation, danger, and perdition.
Grant us patience to wait for you,
      and courage to be strong in your might,
            through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

 
~ posted on the Brummhart Publishing website
 

Phos Hilaron in word and song

 

Circling the globe

WHO website article on corona virus

 

With the corona virus circling the globe, causing such havoc and loss of life, here’s a prayer in song form that I hope will minister to you.

 
 

IN THE STILLNESS

by Irene Bom

VERSE 1
In the stillness, search my heart, O God
Help me turn and mend my ways
In the stillness, come, Lord, come
set my heart ablaze

VERSE 2
In the stillness, help me hear your voice
Tend my faith, so it may grow                          (revised)
In the stillness, come, Lord, come
feed my hungry soul

VERSE 3
In the stillness, shape my heart for love
Give me hope when things go wrong
In the stillness, come, Lord, come
be my strength, my song
 

This song was written as my March entry for the 12 song challenge organised by RESOUNDworship.org

 

 
FROM THE BLOG

Circle me, Lord
a firm favourite

3 Prayers for endings and beginnings
for a time such as this – the end of an era

Theme: Shelter under His wings
[prayer sheet]