Most of us have a very limited concept of prayer. Generally we think of prayer as petition (supplication for oneself) and intercession (supplication for others.) However, there are examples of prayer in both the Old and New Testaments that include adoration and thanksgiving as well. The article on “Prayer” in The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia points out that the Hebrew and Greek words for prayer may “denote a direct petition or short, sharp cry of the heart in its distress…[and] a song of thanksgiving … in which intercession is mingled with doxology.

After Hanna had received the answer to her petitions for a son, now she “prayed” a song of praise for the birth of Samuel. 1Samuel 2:1,2:

• And Hannah prayed and said: “My heart rejoices in the LORD;
  My horn is exalted in the LORD.
  I smile at my enemies,
  Because I rejoice in Your salvation.


• “No one is holy like the LORD,
  For there is none besides You,
  Nor is there any rock like our God.

A New Testament example of a prayer which contains a song is Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3:14, 20, 21: “For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah, … Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by the Messiah Yeshua to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

Bible commentators refer to the end of Paul’s prayer as a “doxology,” or “hymn of praise to God.”

So when we open the doors of the Jerusalem Pavilion Prayer Tower don’t be surprised to hear the sound of music!