The Hidden Power of Meaningful Repetition in Your Spiritual Life

Blog by Gem Fadling

Shrink wrap. That was the only thing between me and the latest smooth tones of Karen Carpenter. I would peel off the plastic, feel the cover, and with great anticipation open the album jacket.

If I was lucky, it was a double cover and would open up like a book. Words spread from left to right against a background of faded images of Karen and her brother Richard, and I would read every single one.

I’d set the record on the turntable, place the needle in the first groove, turn it up loud, and lie on the floor. I would let the entire album unfold over the next 45 minutes or so, reading every word as it was sung, getting a feel for the flow of the songs.

This was my “liturgy” every time I played a new album. And it was a good one. All the time in the world, taking in the music, understanding the meaning and the order of the songs, enjoying Karen’s deep, velvety voice.

Of course, calling this routine a “liturgy” is a stretch, but it was my structure—my way of listening.

Most of my early Christian life, I was told that liturgy was bad. It was referred to as “meaningless repetition,” not heartfelt worship like our church practiced. But even people who don’t consider themselves liturgical have a liturgy.

According to Google, liturgy is “a form or formulary according to which public religious worship, especially Christian worship, is conducted.” That’s a fairly dry definition compared to what I now experience week by week in the form of meaningful repetition.

Every week my heart has a chance to realign with my core beliefs. I participate in centuries-old ways of worship. Scripture is read—both Old Testament and New Testament. Silence follows to take in what was heard. A sermon is shared based on the passages.

Then we recite together the Apostles’ Creed, a beautiful synopsis of everything I hold dear. After that is a time for much-needed confession. I have a chance to get down on my knees and speak out loud with my own mouth how I fell short that week. I receive forgiveness and blessing.

Then comes one of my favorite inventions ever: Passing the Peace. Hearing the words “Peace be with you” multiple times from people around me has a way of softening the edges of the week.

The service culminates in the Lord’s Supper (Eucharist), a most appropriate focus of each and every week. The table is set, the wine is poured, the bread is laid out. I go forward, receive the bread and cup, and return to my seat.

I then watch as each person receives and is blessed. Little ones are prayed over. I feel as though I share in each person’s blessing as they make their way through the line.

This is my weekly liturgy with my church community. There is a simplicity, a rootedness, a sweet and peaceful spirit that pervades our worship. This is liturgy at its best.

Another beautiful aspect of formal liturgy is there is only one “star of the show.” It is Jesus himself and the Eucharistic table, which in our church is placed front and center. The worship leader and even the pastor stand off to the side when they speak. We are continually pointed to Christ visually, symbolically, and literally.

Whether we call ourselves liturgical is neither here nor there. We all have communal liturgies in our forms of public worship. We might even have a personal liturgy or rhythm of life. What practices, rhythms, and patterns do you have in place to keep your heart and mind aligned?

In this season of my life, I firmly believe that meaningful repetition is good. A classic illustration of this is extending love to others. When is a good time to stop saying “I love you”? I can assure you, the repetition of that phrase never gets old. That’s because I mean it. It’s meaningful repetition.

I want every part of me—my mind, heart, soul, and body—to have a sense of significant rhythms. The patterned refocusing and realigning of my soul is as real to me now as the need to shower or brush my teeth.

I love resting on a process that has stood the test of time. And yes, even more than my “liturgy of Karen Carpenter,” my soul is at home in the rhythm of our church community’s weekly liturgy.

For Reflection: 

• What liturgies (meaningful repetitions) do you have in place as you seek to remain mindful of how God is nurturing your soul?
• In what ways have you embraced meaningful repetition in your work of formation?
• How do you remain focused on God and his ways day by day, week by week?