How Shall We Sing the Lord's Song in a Strange Land? The Influence of Daily Corporate Liturgical Praying of the Psalms in a Charismatic Mission’s (YWAM) Community

Abstract

This two-part article summarises the author's capstone research in the Master of Arts in Christian Formation & Discipleship. The first part explores how the Church, from Jesus and the New Testament communities through successful missions movements, have used corporate praying of the Psalms for communal Christian formation unto mission. The historical survey intentionally considers worship's formative effect in discipling the next generation of missionaries. The second part of this study involves a six-week formative curriculum process conducted at Youth With A Mission (YWAM) Seamill in Scotland, where participants engaged in corporate praying of the Psalms. Pre and post interviews found that the practice of praying the Psalms had a positive impact on participants, facilitating greater discernment of and desire for God's activity in the community, fostering awareness of God's grace, forming individuals, and promoting clarity and focus in corporate mission. Potential implications for Christian formation and corporate discipleship through worship are considered.