Timeless and Powerful Worship in a New Language

God knows no bounds when it comes to worship and words. His love breaks through language barriers and even surpasses time. We can experience timeless and powerful worship in any language – even if we don’t know a word of German!

Worship at St. Anne’s Church

On our Germany trip we visited the beautiful St Anne’s Church built in 1321 by Carmelite monks in Augsburg. In 1518 Martin Luther stayed there while he was in Augsburg defending his beliefs to the Cardinal.

Our group learned a noon time prayer service was scheduled in the chapel and we were invited to participate.

Worship in the Chapel

Silently we entered the gothic Goldsmith’s Chapel built in 1420. Gothic murals decorated every wall and ceiling. I remembered that many people in that time period didn’t know how to read, so would learn the stories of the Bible and the good news about Jesus through paintings depicted in churches. I was surrounded by the endless story of the manger in Bethlehem, the Magi bringing gifts, the last supper celebrated with bread and wine and the story of Jesus’ crucifixion. Different saints such as St George slaying the dragon adorned one area.

I picked up the worship booklet.  Good grief, I couldn’t read it – it was printed in German, of course. DUH!  I scanned the words to find something familiar.

Psalm

Gott

Stille

The cantor rose at noon and began chanting the psalm. His deep voice reverberated within us. We fumbled through the responses at first quietly, then with more conviction as we learned the tune and felt God’s presence.

We shared the silence together.

We listened to his prayer while praying in our own hearts.

The Holy Spirit quietly speaking to all of us.

We closed with a litany response, not knowing what we were saying, but knowing God understood.

Then I saw it:  Vaterunser

Vater – Remember my Star Wars days – Vater, Darth Vater – I knew vater was father. Could this be this Lords’ Prayer? 

It was!

As one body of Christ in a 14th century chapel in a country I didn’t know the language – we prayed:  Our Father who art in heaven….

We were united as one with no time, language, country, social status – nothing separating us from our worship of God.

A timeless and powerful worship experience across the centuries and beyond any language barriers.  All for the glory of God.

A highlight from my pilgrimage to Germany.

I compiled into a free download some of the German Prayers, Blessings and Quotes we used on the trip or that I found elsewhere. Please just click on the button below to get this resource and I hope you enjoy its words.

Click Here to get the resource guide! Thanks!

When have you experienced worship in an unexpected manner?