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Biblical, battle-tested, real-life help for "living by faith in the Son of God" (Galatians 2:20). — Steve Fuller

How To Sing Lyrics You Aren’t Feeling (“Lay Me Down” worship song)

Not feeling it

What should you do when the worship leader starts a song whose lyrics say things you don’t feel — lyrics which you can’t sing from the heart?

For example, if you are feeling fear — how can you sing “it is well with my soul”?

Or if you are feeling nothing towards Christ — how can you sing “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain”?

Or if you are feeling bitter and disappointed — how can you sing “Great is Thy Faithfulness”?

Should you not sing?  Should you just go through the motions?  What should you do?

Some wise counsel

Someone once told me that when I am not feeling the words, I should go ahead and sing the words — but turn the words into prayers asking God to change my feelings.

So if the words are “it is well with my soul,” sing those words — but turn them into a prayer —

Help me so see You so clearly that it IS well with my soul.

Or if the words are “worthy is the Lamb who was slain,” sing those words — but turn them into a prayer —

Open my eyes to see Your Worth, crucified Savior.

Same with “Great is Thy Faithfulness.”  Sing those words — but turn them into a prayer —

Forgive my bitterness — help me trust Your great faithfulness in my life.

Try that with this song

Chris Tomlin’s “Lay Me Down” can be a battle to sing, because it has some challenging lines —

I lay me down I’m not my own,

I belong to You alone,

Lay me down, lay me down.

Hand on my heart this much is true,

There’s no life apart from You,

Lay me down, lay me down.

Those words are a challenge to sing —

  • if you are holding on to sin, a grudge, or some bitterness
  • if you are seeking your life outside of Christ
  • if you are pursuing your agenda, not His

So —

Turn the words into a prayer

Ask Him to help you believe there’s no life apart from Him.

Ask Him to give you a taste of His life — the life that comes from beholding Him.

Ask Him to help you lay down your agenda, your bitterness, your grudges

Try this — and let me know what God does —

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1N2SbY3dJuM

What did God do?

I’d love to hear — leave a reply below.  Thanks.

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Category: Growing in Worship, Worship Videos

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6 Responses

  1. Ron R. says:

    Steve:

    Thank you so much for sharing this video. I just got a real special blessing singing this to the Lord and laying my life down before him. Totally Awesome!!

    Ron R.

  2. Joy S. says:

    Steve:

    I also thank you for sharing the video. What a blessing to pray as you suggested and then sing those words with my hand on my heart. It brought me to tears at points. I really felt a special blessing from laying my life down to the Lord. Thank you for your part in that.

    Joy S.

    • Steve Fuller says:

      Hi Joy —

      It’s so encouraging to hear that praying through this song brought you such encouragement. Isn’t God good! And thank you for letting me know …

      Steve

  3. Jason Belk says:

    so blessed to sing this from my heart and be met by the Lord today. Keep steadfast in the Lord Steve, he is using you 🙂

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