Worship Interludes - Piano Instrumentals for Prayer, Meditation, Soaking Worship, Relaxation, Study, and Rest

“Abide With Me” – Instrumental for Prayer, Meditation, Soaking Worship, and Relaxation

This interlude is a departure from most of my normal recorded piano instrumentals. In most cases I improvise and record the worship interlude in one take. This piece, “Abide With Me”, was actually created over two different days. [There’s a behind-the-scenes video of the creation of this piece available exclusively for my patron supporters!]

I layered several tracks together to build an extended play interlude that is perfect for longer sessions of praying, meditating, studying, or relaxing. There is this one single “A” note that drones throughout the entire sixteen minute composition. A flowing 4-chord progression connects the piece with sparse piano and choir.

I was inspired to create this extended track from some of my own soaking time with a YouTube channel called “Soaking In His Presence“. This channel has videos that have hours of music like this that last a lot longer.

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Become a Patron and Support My Music

Dear Friends,

In this special episode of the Worship Interludes Podcast, I’m sharing an opportunity with all listeners. For over two years, I have produced the “Worship Interludes Podcast” and made it available to the world, free of charge. It’s been my joy and honor to be able to serve the people of the world by providing peaceful, restful piano music for your personal times of worship, prayer, meditation, and relaxation.

For the past 20+ years, I’ve always had the privilege of being on full-time staff at a church. This has always been the primary source of income for myself and my family. In the Fall of 2018, my tenure on staff at the local church ended. Through a lot of prayer and encouragement from friends, family, and other solo piano artists, I have launched a page on Patreon.Com that allows people who are blessed by my music to support my music ministry as Patrons.

For centuries, the arts have been funded through donations and support of Patrons. As of the release of this episode, there have been nearly 400,000 downloads of this podcast in over 270 countries. I am so blessed, humbled, and honored to know this music is making an impact around the world and I am committed to doing this as long as I am able and led.

Patrons make up my inner-circle of supporters. You can become a Patron for as little as only $5/month. These donations add up and are a source of provision for my family that blesses me tremendously. Patrons get perks such as early access to my music, behind-the-scenes updates, VIP discounts, and more.

If you’d like to show your support for my music, I would be honored to have you as part of my Patron Supporters.

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Music for Prayer, Meditation, Soaking Worship, Rest, and Relaxation

For Episode #141 of the “Worship Interludes Podcast” I decided to change things up a bit and switch over to my “Keyscape” plugin for a different sound and texture. Today’s interlude was simple. I would take my prayer time to the keys. I often record after I’ve finished my time of devotion but today I decided to just make it a part of the experience.

In this episode there is a slow, steady pace that lingers. Before I realized it, time had progressed quickly so it’s an extended time where you can really sit still, calm yourself, and enjoy the music. I hope that it’s a blessing to you as you pray, meditation, study, relax, and rest.

Thank you so much for listening. Your support means the world to me!

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Love & Acceptance: Piano Instrumental for Prayer, Meditation, Soaking Worship, and Relaxation

Everyone wants love and acceptance. These are core part of who we are as people. Even the toughest most successful person in the world desires to be loved and accepted. There are many who pretend this is not important but do not be deceived.

I’ve been meditating recently on God’s love for me. His love is unconditional and unwavering. There is no person on this earth who can love and accept you like our Heavenly Father.

This interlude is called “Love and Acceptance” and as you listen, I’d like for you to meditate and reflect on this reality. Perhaps you struggle to believe that you are loved and accepted. Sadly, this is quite common. Until we discover and embrace this, it’s very difficult for us to truly love others.

I hope you enjoy this simple little improvisation.

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“Consider the Lilies” | Piano Instrumental by Fred McKinnon

Today’s episode #139 of the “Worship Interludes Podcast” is specifically composed and recorded to help relieve anxiety and stress. Music has an amazing impact on our lives. Neuroscientists have done countless studies on specific types of music and its ability to relieve stress and anxiety. There is an entire profession dedicated to using music for therapy and healing called Music Therapy.

In Biblical times, there are accounts where King Saul was tormented by evil spirits and the only relief he had came from David playing instrumental music. We don’t know exactly how this happens but the power of music is undeniable.

And whenever the harmful spirit from God was upon Saul, David took the lyre and played it with his hand. So Saul was refreshed and was well, and the harmful spirit departed from him.1 Samuel 16:23

Application in Your Life

I would guess that many, many people in this world battle against anxiety and stress to some degree. We live in such a stressful culture with such high demands and expectations. Financially, we have to resist the race to be like other people. Social media has exasperated this by giving us a glimpse into a lifestyle that is framed by what people want us to see. Our news and media outlets bombard us with negativity, strife, division, and discord. All of these things can greatly impact our ability to walk in peace.

Jesus Christ addressed this beautifully in the New Testament of the Holy Bible. His comments about anxiety and worry are recorded not only in Luke, but in Matthew 6. Read these words and embrace the truth.

(25) “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? (26) Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? (27) And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? (28) And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, (29) yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. (30) But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? (31) Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ (32) For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. (33) But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.(34) “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.Matthew 6: 25-...

“Pray As You Go” – Instrumental Music for Prayer, Meditation, Relaxation, Soaking Worship, Study, and Rest

The past week has been super busy for me. On top of a busier-than-normal week, I have been battling a little sickness the past 3 days which has further thrown my schedule into chaos. So today, the truth is, I simply could not invest the usual 1-2 hours of time in producing a podcast episode.

Deep down, I know the episodes don’t always have to be longer. In the same way, God doesn’t require our prayers to be long. I believe when the Scripture said “pray without ceasing” it meant that we’re in a constant state of communication with God, not that we are praying verbally 24/7.

Today’s episode, “Pray As You Go” reflects this. It’s less than 4-minutes. It was my way of saying “God, I have to run out the door this morning and I don’t have the normal amount of time I usually do, but I just want to say Hello and be with you for a moment”.

Don’t feel like you have to sit in hours of prayer or meditation. Sometimes, you can just have a quick prayer as you go.

I hope this interlude helps you accomplish that today!

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Piano Instrumentals for Prayer, Meditation, Soaking Worship, Relaxation

Today’s interlude was recoded early in the morning on Sunday, March 17, 2019. It’s called “Breaking of Dawn” because I could see the light peeking through my window shades as I began to record.

I shared this image on my Instagram and personal Facebook page with a caption that basically said I really “felt” this one today.

I’d just had a heartfelt conversation with my Maker.   It was a vulnerable, authentic, heartfelt prayer.  Some days, if I’m honest, I feel like my prayers hit a ceiling.   This morning, I felt like they crashed through the ceiling and invaded heaven.

Although this interlude is in G-minor, it’s not meant to feel sad.  There is something beautiful and rich about a minor key for me.  Today, it just came out that way.

I hope you enjoy this episode.   I usually post on Thursday but life got the best of me and I wanted to get this one out of me today.

I always wonder … does anyone read these descriptions?   Leave a comment below and let me know!Fred

 

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“Blossoms” – Solo Piano Improvisation for Prayer Music, Meditation Music, Relaxation, Studying, and Rest

I live down in the deep South on a sunny little resort island called Saint Simons Island. It’s rarely very cold here but Spring is a beautiful season . Spring has finally arrived and you can see the evidence of this everywhere you look. Outside, my azalea bushes are blooming with beautiful blossoms – reminding all of us that The Masters in Augusta is just around the corner.

There are some shrubs around our house that my wife pruned back in the winter. It wasn’t really the time of year to prune but she’d had enough of them growing up all over the house. In her own words, “I may have gotten carried away with the pruning”. I thought they were dead for sure but today, beautiful purple blossoms are coming out of the limbs.

Spring is when the world wakes up from the cold, harsh winter. It’s when new life appears. I always love Spring because it reminds me of this new life. It’s the season of Lent and Easter. (and it’s great fishing weather!).

This morning as I recorded the interlude, I’m looking out my window at a blue sky, a warm sun, and beautiful blossoms.

Whether you are using these interludes as music for your prayers, meditations, worship, or simply for personal enjoyment and relaxation – it’s my hope that they bring a light of peace and joy to your day.

Happy Listening and Happy Spring!

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Daily Disciplines – Piano Instrumental Music for Prayer, Meditation, Soaking Worship, Study Music, Relaxation Music

The Inspiration?

When I publish a new composition as part of my “Worship Interludes Podcast” I usually tell you all about the inspiration behind the recording. Typically, it’s from a Scripture I read, a conversation I had, or some other inspiring moment.

Today, March 7, 2019 – it started out like this:

First, I decided to not set my alarm. This pretty much guaranteed that I would oversleep and miss my normal 5:30 AM workout group. It was supposed to be pretty cold and I’d hear some rumor that there may be a good bit of running in this workout so I wasn’t super disappointed about missing this one.

I did sleep in, but still had to wake up so I could get kids out the door for school. My wife had to leave earlier in the morning to get our youngest two off early for their weekly devotional meeting with their small groups.

I’ve been doing intermittent fasting for the bulk of the year, meaning I try to not eat anything between 8:00 PM and 12:00 PM (noon) the next day. Essentially, I’m skipping breakfast. Today, I didn’t skip. I skipped my workout but didn’t skip breakfast – I had several bowls of Captain Crunch Crunch Berries. Pure sugar and dye. Yes.

So, it’s no wonder that I’m not inspired today. Still without a shower and only one cup of coffee, I snapped this photo as I sat down in my home studio to record. Unshaven. No shower. Tired. But determined. I posted it onto my @fmckinnon Instagram and Facebook Story.

As the caption reads in the picture, “Some mornings… this piano instrumental podcast is 100% disciplined commitment and 0% inspiration. Just being real. But once I’m done, I’m inspired“.

That is the truth. I recorded this short interlude and it felt so peaceful. It was soothing to my soul. It brought me back into a place where my mind and spirit were at peace.

That’s often what daily disciplines do for us. It’s your quiet time, your devotion, your exercise regimen, your meditation, and routine. It’s that diet plan, your journaling, and expressions of gratitude. Whatever your daily disciplines may be, let them bring forth good fruit and progress in your life.

I hope you enjoy the fruit of my “daily discipline” of releasing 2 episodes of this podcast per week.

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“Holding My Hand” – Solo Piano Instrumental by Fred McKinnon

Today’s episode of the “Worship Interludes Podcast” comes from the past. A dear friend that I haven’t seen in many years visited me at my office on Saint Simons Island, Georgia yesterday. She told me that I’d sent her a piano composition many years ago and that she still listens to it. She wondered if I’d ever done anything with it.

When she got back home she found the song and sent it to me. I immediately recognized it – the tune was familiar and I knew it was one of my compositions but I had no idea what it was. Could it just be an old interlude from this podcast? Could it be one of a few “lost songs” that I’d recorded onto a hard drive that crashed? All I knew was that I’d completely forgotten about this tune.

She sent it to me and I found it on an old recovery drive. I’d titled it “Holding My Hand” and it was hidden in some weird folder I’d never heard of. I guess this song was meant to be re-discovered.

I asked my wife if she recognized it and she said “yes, it’s one of those that you never put on an album and I use it all the time in my stretch (fitness) classes”. Go figure!

I’m giving you this song today as Episode #133 of the Worship Interludes Podcast. It will be featured on a new album that I hope to release later in 2019. I hope you enjoy it!

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