Music has always been a part of my life. Since I was three years old, my mom arranged for a music teacher to teach me how to play the organ. Ever since then, music has been something I need on road trips, at the office, and even in my spiritual life.

I’ve realized that I can hardly pray without music because I get distracted easily. Because of that, I’ve created several playlists on Spotify. I have playlists for Adoration, praise and worship, Christmas songs, and moments when I feel down. Each song carries a special meaning for me. Whenever I hear a particular song, it brings me back to moments when I struggled and reminds me to thank God for helping me through. Those playlists, along with my journal, have become a living testimony of how faithfully God walks with me through the valleys and shadows of life. I strongly recommend creating your own playlists rather than relying only on ones from YouTube. They are wonderful, but I feel more connected to my own.

During my daily prayer time, I usually play instrumental modern worship music to help me focus and calm my mind. When I feel upset or down, I close my eyes, put on my AirPods, play a worship song, and I feel much better. When I have no words to say in prayer, I play a song that expresses my feelings and sing along. It becomes a prayer, as Saint Augustine said, “He who sings prays twice.” When I serve as an organist in the Mass, I worship God through the notes I play. Music has helped me stay close to Jesus, especially when words are not enough.

There were days when I felt restless, impatient, and emotionally unstable at the office, and I realized it was because I hadn’t spent enough time meditating and listening to worship music. I had been listening too much to modern songs instead. If you’re a music lover like me, you understand how sensitive our emotions can be to what we listen to. Music truly influences our emotional stability, mindfulness, and peace.

Even during Adoration, I can only pray in silence for about five minutes. But with worship music, I can remain there for an hour without realizing it. During journaling, music helps me express my joy, sadness, and disappointments. It also helps me feel as if Jesus is sitting right beside me.

The Richness Of Catholic Music

One of the things that keeps me rooted as a Catholic is the richness of the Church’s music. We have countless songs and styles that help us worship God and experience His presence. In the Mass, liturgical Latin hymns express the grandeur and glory of God, such as the Gloria, Sanctus, and Communion hymns. In Adoration, we often sing Taizé songs, which may resonate more with older generations. In charismatic communities, modern worship music engages younger Catholics. Here in Indonesia, we also have liturgical songs inspired by local cultures, such as Mandarin, Batak, Dayak, and Keroncong. This diversity enriches the Mass and allows the sacred to meet culture. For some people, it is easier to connect with God through familiar music rather than unfamiliar languages.

When you feel distracted during prayer or your prayer feels stuck or dry, you can try what I do. Music helps me enter God’s presence, calm my mind, and bring joy as I praise Him, while also encouraging me to stay faithful in my personal prayer life. Try creating your own playlist today and see how it transforms your relationship with God.

My Catholic Prayer Time Music Playlist

Goodness of God

Heart of Worship

O God Beyond All Praising

Adoro Te Devote

Here I Bow 

What a Beautiful Name

Christ Be Magnified

Jesus My Lord, My God

Shout to the Lord

O Praise the Name

Image: Photo by Eric Nopanen on Unsplash