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

“Afternoon Prayers” is Episode #92 of Fred McKinnon’s “Worship Interludes” podcast. This podcast is the ideal soundtrack of background music for your times of prayer, meditation, reflection, rest, and relaxation.

Recorded: July 31, 2018

Today is the first day back from a 5-day vacation with my family. It’s so good to be home and back in the studio. After lunch today I wanted to just spend some time in the studio praying. I took some time to just settle myself and began to just play this piece. There is plenty of space in this composition – lots of where my thoughts would pause for the next prayer. It’s a powerful way in the early afternoon to prepare for the rest of the evening and all of the many things that need to be accomplished.

Whether you listen in the afternoon, early morning, or late evening I hope that this music will become a soundtrack for your times of prayer and reflection.

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“The Daily Examen” – Guided Prayer and Reflection

The Daily Examen is a method of prayer that Saint Ignatius of Loyola taught in his Spiritual Exercises. It is a technique of prayerful reflection on the events of the day in order to detect God’s presence and discern his direction for us.   In this episode of the Worship Interludes Podcast you will have a rare experience of spoken dialog with the soundtrack.

This version of the examen is a collaboration between a few of my creative/artist friends here at home.   Mandy Thompson published a short video on Facebook about taking care of your soul. In this video she invited people to experience the practice of using the Daily Examen for a period of seven days. Mandy and I have collaborated on projects before and decided to come up with our own version of the Daily Examen.

Mandy wrote the guided remarks and I composed the original musical soundtrack. There is no better voice than that of our friend, Keenan Carter, from Saint Simons Island, GA. Keenan graciously came into the studio and recorded the narration.

Together we hope that this guided journey for prayer and reflection will be something that you can revisit frequently. This may be a different experience for many of you.   Today’s rushed culture and western religion have lost sight of some of these older practices that are so wonderful for our soul.    Don’t be intimidated.   Find a quiet place and follow along with the guided instructions and participate willingly, humbly, and freely.

Thank you for listening,

Fred

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“In The Fire” – Piano Instrumental for those in the Battle…

This weekend I’ve witnessed some dear friends who have been going through the fire. I’ve seen them battling fires of loss, devastation, disease, and addiction. This piece started out as a sweet melody.  I sat down and just started playing in the Key of Ab. What was soothing, sweet melody evolved into a theme based in the relative key of F minor and I felt myself feeling the pain of the fire. What comes out is a more tense interlude than I would normally release.

Life is much like this interlude. Things can be going along smoothly and sweetly and then, without warning, the fire comes. It begins to burn up everything around us.

I hope that this musical interpretation of this experience will help you face your own fires. Use this to focus on your strengths, the things you are grateful for, and to pray and intercede for clear direction and Truth.

Thank you for listening,

Fred

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“Peaceful Sunrise” – Piano Instrumental for Morning Meditation, Devotion, Prayer

Today’s piano instrumental interlude is called “Peaceful Sunrise” and it’s featured as episode #89 in the Worship Interludes Podcast.  It’s Tuesday morning, July 10th, 2018.  The past weekend was really tough for our family.   Our loving golden retriever, Sadie, was expecting her first litter of puppies this past weekend.  A few weeks ago we learned that she only had one puppy in her womb and that because of the size of this puppy, the delivery was more risky.  We’ve been a bit anxious since hearing that news.  Sadly, the puppy was stillborn this weekend.   We were quite disappointed but our grief was exasperated with worry because our sweet Sadie had major complications after the birth.  Her complications required a very serious, lengthy surgery that kept her in the Pet “ER” for a couple of days.   We were sad to lose our puppy but really wanted our sweet dog to make it through this tough weekend.

I’m happy to say that Sadie is sleeping on the couch a few feet behind me in my home studio.   She has a long recovery ahead but should be ok.

This was a tremendous burden for me.  At the same time, I’ve been searching for a car for our 2nd child, Will.  He celebrated his 16th birthday in May and we haven’t found a vehicle for him yet.  We’ve been patiently waiting for the right deal – the make, model, mileage, and of course … the price … that we wanted.   We finally found the vehicle this past weekend.   So in the midst of our pet drama, we also were trying to buy a vehicle that was out of town.

As the sun set last night, we’d successfully purchased the vehicle and my son was so happy.  My beautiful golden retriever was home resting and it just felt like “all was right in the world”.

This morning, the sun rose on a new day and I felt a sense of peace that has been absent.  It’s not that peace wasn’t available for me – it was just hard to grasp.  I believe peace is always available for us if we take the time to slow down and find it.  For me, as a Christian, I must pause, pray, and worship.   That’s where this musical interlude comes from today.

In the accompanying video, I’ve selected numerous photos of beautiful sunrises.  The sunrise signified the start of a new day.  For me, I think the sunrise is one of the most soothing, peaceful things a person can witness.  May the sun rise on your day and may you discover completeness, peace, and hope as you listen to this music.

Peace!

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“God Bless America” – Piano Instrumental and Video Celebrating the Fourth of July and Independence Day – A Call to Prayer

In the United States of America we celebrate Independence Day on the Fourth of July.  It’s a summer day filled with memories, fireworks, grilling, family, friends, and celebration.   It’s also a time when we come together with a bit of patriotism.  One of my favorite patriotic songs is “God Bless America”.   This patriotic song is a simple prayer asking for God’s blessings on our nation.

Today, July 4, 2018, I composed this simple piano rendition of this classic song and used my music as a soundtrack to an inspiring video with patriotic images of America.

I include this in my “Worship Interludes” podcast because the lyrics to this beautiful song are a heartfelt prayer.   I do recognize that all of listeners are not from the USA.  Actually, there are thousands and thousands of listeners from all over the globe.   I appreciate that and at the same time welcome your prayers for our nation.

As I would pray for the peace and blessing of your land, I hope that you will join me, with all Americans, and pray this simple blessing over our nation.

This composition will be featured in my “Patriotic Playlist” on my YouTube Channel as well.

God bless America, land that I love.

Stand beside her and guide her

through the night with the light from above.

From the mountains to the prairies

To the oceans white with foam

God bless America, my home sweet home.

God bless America, my home sweet home.

Peace!

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“A Time to Pray” – Piano Instrumental for Prayer Music, Meditation

“A Time To Pray” is a peaceful, quiet piano instrumental that is ideal for prayer music, meditation music, and soaking worship.   I recently heard someone say (and I am paraphrasing) “I pray a lot, but sometimes you have to take action”.   I know the heart behind this comment but it made me think that we often lose sight of the power of prayers.

Too many times we think of prayers as these passive whispers that we utter to God.  We hope that He hears them and hope that just maybe, He will answer.   Sadly, that’s about as powerful as we think our prayers can be.

However, we have to understand this is far from the truth.  Prayers, when offered in faith and in accordance to God’s plans, are super powerful.  I believe that our prayers cause actions to take place that we cannot even begin to comprehend.   In many cases, our prayers change and impact things here on this earth in ways that we could never do by protesting, marching, fighting, or debating.

I’m not suggesting that we don’t get involved in taking action on the things that are important to us.   I do; however, think that we should never lose sight of how mighty and powerful are prayers can be.

I’ve found myself in a season where I’m struggling to pray with authority and faith.  In my many years of walking with Christ, I’ve experienced these seasons.  I’ve started reading some powerful books and devotions because I know that my prayer life needs to be healthy and strong.

One of the biggest reasons I record these “worship interludes” is so that people can have a peaceful, soothing soundtrack for their prayers.  Or perhaps you just enjoy listening and relaxing.  Either way, I’m grateful that you listen.

Peace!

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Soaking – Piano Instrumental

“Soaking” – there are so many ways to think of this word.  You may think of soaking in sunshine, in a warm bath, or in the peace and tranquility of a peaceful river.   Perhaps you think of soaking under a waterfall, or the sound of ocean waves.   In some religious circles, people refer to “soaking” as being still, meditating, or worshiping in God’s Presence.

In this 86th episode of the “Worship Interludes Podcast” I’ve produced the solo piano instrumental music and an inspiring video.   Featuring breathtaking scenes of waterfalls, this composition provides the solo piano soundtrack to a stunning visual that will help you “soak”.   Listening and viewing this would be ideal in your times of prayer, rest, meditation, or relaxation.

I’m extremely grateful for the photographers and videographers who make such beautiful imagery freely available on Pexels.com.  I use this site as a resource daily to find inspiring pictures and videos to feature with my piano instrumental music.

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Watching and Waiting – Piano Instrumental

“Watching and Waiting”  – sometimes, there is nothing more to do but watch and wait.   As I recorded this piano instrumental today I was feeling a sense of expectancy, as if there was something on the horizon.   Take a  few minutes out of your busy day to listen.  As you do, contemplate on the dreams you are waiting for and express gratitude for all that you have been given.

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In The Night Hours – Piano Instrumental

“In the Night Hours” is a contemplative, relaxing piano instrumental composed by Fred McKinnon.   This episode is #84 of the “Worship Interludes Podcast” which is an instrumental podcast for prayer, meditation, and relaxation.   This piece is in the key of G-minor and has a beautiful, yet haunting melody.

Personally, I’ve been battling bronchitis and a low-grade fever this week.   As a result, I’ve been pretty tired and some of the medicine has kept me up at night.  Because of this, I’ve felt pretty tired and somewhat uneasy.  I’ve always disliked the way I feel on certain medications and look forward to being free of this infirmity.

Sitting down in the studio today,  this opening theme came to me immediately.   I loved the way it moves up and down and has a diminished chord that adds a bit of tension and helps translate the uneasy emotions I’ve felt this week.

My hope is that as you listen you will be able to relax and sink deep into the emotion of this piece.

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Morning Peace – Piano Instrumental for Meditation, Prayer, Relaxation

Episode #83 of the Worship Interludes Podcast

I recorded this episode on a lazy Saturday morning (June 9, 2018) in my home studio.   At this season of life it’s rare that I can even claim a “lazy Saturday”.   The reality is, I have absolutely nothing structured that I have to accomplish today.  I’m trying to be intentional about relaxing and taking a “sabbath” day to rest and allow myself to recover from a busy week.

This is an extended episode that is nearly ten minutes long.   I hope this extended version will help you slow down and engage peacefully in your personal times of prayer, meditation, relaxation, and rest.

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