OPINION —
I was surprised to learn years ago that Buddhists and Hindus do not sing in worship as Christians do. Instead they hum mantras like the popular “Om Ah Hum.” I can hardly imagine Christians humming instead of singing. Lifting our voices in song helps us declare and celebrate our love for Jesus, whose birth was announced by the singing of angels. Singing heightens our awareness of the awesome presence of the God who has put a song in our hearts.
The value of a mantra became obvious to me during a study of the religions of the world. Mantras have been used in Hinduism and Buddhism for centuries, helping people connect with the divine. Mantras are also used by other groups; many who practice yoga use mantras.
This makes sense when you understand the meaning of a mantra. It is a word or a sound repeated to help the mind concentrate. Mantra is derived from the ancient Sanskrit language. “Man” means mind and “tra” means tool or instrument. So, mantra is a tool for the mind, a mind instrument, used in meditation and worship. It is believed to have the power to transform the mind, body and spirit.
One day, it dawned on me that as a follower of Jesus, I have mantras of my own, sacred words or phrases which help me focus on His Presence in my life. One is the phrase, “Jesus is Lord.” In fact, it was one of the affirmations of early Christians. E. Stanley Jones taught it to me in the Ashram movement which he organized. I have said “Jesus is Lord” thousands of times over the past 60 years to remind myself my Lord is with me during hard times and good times.
Another mantra I picked up on my own is “Thank you Jesus.” I say that often every day as a way of praising Jesus for simple blessings or what I call “holy moments,” when I have sensed His hand upon me. Speaking the words, “Thank you Jesus,” helps me constantly to realize that nothing can separate me from the love of God and that my Lord Jesus is forever pouring out His grace upon me. He does that with the smile of a child, words of encouragement from a friend or family member, a visit with dear friends or kind words in a letter or an email.
“Help me Jesus” is another mantra of mine. I say it often when I need God’s wisdom in situations that demand answers “beyond my pay grade.” I whisper these words when I am about to teach or preach God’s Word. When I receive His help to answer a difficult question, or guidance in praying for someone in need, I usually respond aloud, “Thank you Jesus.”
There are sacred words in the Bible that I speak aloud or in my mind when I feel alone or afraid. Two such phrases appear in the 41st chapter of Isaiah. They are “I am with you” and “I will help you.” Loneliness is overcome when I remember to affirm that God is “with me.” He never leaves me. He is always with me, and He is always ready to “help me.” Those phrases are in Isaiah 41:10 and 13:
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (10).
“For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you….” (13).
I am thinking of adding another mantra to my collection. It would be based on Isaiah 49:16: “Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me.” This verse is God’s response to the cry of the Israelites that “The Lord has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me” (Isaiah 49:14).
In every age, when we face impossible odds, we are tempted to ask “Where is God when I need Him?” Doubt causes us to feel that God has forgotten us. God responds to us as he did to the Israelites: A mother may forget her baby, but God says, “I will not forget you. See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.”
You could say, that’s what God said to the Israelites through Isaiah, not you, Walter. I would say, Yes, God did say that to the Israelites, but in His Holy Word, He is saying that to me. And to anyone who takes His Word seriously for the Bible is God’s love letter to all people.
Modern translations have changed “you” to “your name.” But reliable translations like ESV do not. They continue to say God has engraved “you” on the palms of his hands. In other words, not just my name, but me, all of me, everything about me, so He has not forgotten me and He is with me.
The mantra would be: “Engraved on His Palms.” It would remind me in hard times of the awesome love my Father has for me.
If you don’t have a mantra you love to use, feel free to use mine. They will help you stay grounded in God’s enduring love.
