prayer minstrel: Misty Edwards

Misty Edwards. Known as one of the leaders of worship at the International House of Prayer, but really just a woman living in devotion to the Lord. This thin young woman with a head full of dreadlocks has been a source of deepening comfort to me for the past three years. She seems, to me, the very definition of a prayer minstrel, delivering the heart of the Father through every song. If you are hurting, weary, lost, confused, lacking purpose, aching with the bruises of living on this earth, may your ears and heart be blessed with Misty's songs of renewal, identity, and the Father's love. Some of my most precious memories have been listening and singing to these songs during my commutes to and from my previous job. When I've struggled to place the thoughts of my mind on "heavenly" things, when I cannot remember that my God loves me, when I cannot remember that I even love Him, Misty has been my aid. She has a sweet sisterly friendship bond through her music. It is gentle, as if she is lifting you up and encouraging you onward to the throne room of grace. This is prominent quality of a prayer minstrel. They aren't just singing some great songs to lead us into worship of God. No, the heart of a prayer minstrel must come through in their gifting of music. It becomes a personal encounter with another sister or brother in Christ who serves as a supporter, an encourager, and iron to sharpen iron. Throughout her songs, many of which are recorded live, she whispers and calls out in prayers, interceding on behalf of those who may be listening and worshiping. When I find myself lost in the emptiness of desiring the things of this world, her lyrics bring my heart back to its First Love. Of her many love songs to the Savior, Let Me Love You More expresses this:

If I never walk on water if I never see the miracles
If I never hear your voice so loud
Just knowing that You love me is enough to keep me here
Just hearing those words is enough is enough to satisfy
You do You do You satisfy I couldn't leave even if a tried
I must have You I must have You

Satisfaction. Contentment. I remember that I have these things in Christ.
 I believe one of her best pieces capturing the heart's return to the Savior is her track, Eyes for Only You. To my disappointment, I was unable to find it on Youtube to share within this post, but the lyrics are below:

Your steadfast love has captured My heart
Breaking through the years of My shame
You've quickly become the Lover of My soul
And I tell You it will always be the same

For I have set My heart toward You, Oh Lord
As I dwell in Your courts forevermore
Others call My name and beckon Me to come
Oh but I, I have eyes for only You
I will always have eyes for only You

I sing this song that all others may know
My heart is steadfast, never to be moved
Distractions worthy, Oh they fight for my desire
but my devotion will only be proved

"I am my Beloved's, Oh and He is mine"
These are the words that echo through My soul
"Oh how She loves Him" the Angels do say
Through the ages the story will be told

For I have set My heart toward You, Oh Lord
As I dwell in Your courts forevermore
Others call My name and beckon Me to come
Oh but I, I have eyes for only You
I will always have eyes for only You

I have had friends who haven't enjoyed her songs quite as much as I do. Perhaps her vocals and stylistic choices aren't for everyone. Perhaps she is a bit too "Charismatic" for others (labels are such a terrible means of laying judgements!). Maybe she is a little too "lovey-dovey" for certain listeners. Maybe she is just too spontaneous and "out there". Frankly, I love her rambly songs that last well beyond 7 minutes. I love the build-up, the moments of prayer, and the repetitive nature of her music. It's not polished and pretty like songs you hear on the radio. And, yet, there is a very gorgeous feminine nature to them, with her maternal voice and her darling piano melodies. And, I love that LOVE - not just a concept, but the Person Jesus Christ - is the theme! She expresses His Love in a way that most definitely resonates with the female heart, but I don't think her wording and style choices are limited to just women. Misty can rock it! ;)

The drive and intensity behind many of Misty's song are so awe-inspiring. She laces Scripture into her songs quite often and is very bold in her use of eschatological themes. People Get Ready is one of those tracks that give you goosebumps. It's quite long, but the build up is glorious as she speaks Scripture about the coming of the Lord. Each of her albums are worth listening to from start to finish. It may not be music you just pop in to listen to everyday, but each song is carefully crafted and there is nothing quite like it in modern Christian music today. There are many live recordings of her songs, but her full albums are listed as followed: Eternity, Always on His Mind, Relentless, and Fling Wide.

In late 2011, I was taken back by the 4-song compilation by Misty Edwards and David Brymer entitled Measure of Love. These tracks are arranged simply, just piano, vocals, and strings. The songs are Measure of a Man, Above the Sun, Lord I Want You, and the Harlot. There is no doubt that this little work resounds quite strongly. I am sure this album represents the intimate encounter that every believer has had with Christ in the midst of the greatest pains. I cannot bear to listen to this EP without tears rolling down my face. It's one of the most powerful pieces of worship and I think the illustration of the album cover clearly reflects that with Mary looking upward towards Jesus on the Cross. The song, The Harlot, at 19 minutes and 39 seconds stands out as the most creative and jaw-dropping compositions illustrating Mary Magdalene's story and connecting it into our personalized account of who we were before Christ and who we are now in Him. Misty chokes out the lines, "I am broken I am wounded/I am angry and afraid/and a harlot is like a chain around my neck/it's my name/it's who I am," as if she is retelling her own story. The song transitions, almost like a movie score, to Christ interceding upon her behalf, pleading with the Father that she be with Him in glory, drinking the cup of wrath, freeing her into the presence of the Father to be known and loved by Him. Then, it ends with an anthem of the great wedding to come and singing worthy of the Lamb. It is tremendous and artistic, almost as if you are watching it on stage or cinema. If you aren't convinced that this song is worth listening to yet, then I must repeat for you to GO and LISTEN to this gorgeous, glorious song! I did not include it in this post because of formatting issues with Blogger. However, you can quickly find it by going to Youtube and typing in: The Harlot by Misty Edwards & David Brymer. You will not regret those 19 minutes.

Forgive me if I come off sounding like an obsessed fan of Misty Edwards. Music is something that lights my heart aflame and whenever I happen to here an artist that just "gets it," I am immediately attached to their songs in a personal way. I could sit here and type out why each of her songs are so glorious to me, but I will save it for another time. ;) The selections I have chosen to share below are just the tip of the iceberg. I think her albums are a treasure trove of wonders, leading me heart straight to the Treasure to be cherished above all. I could worship my God for days with nothing but these tunes. If I could, I would personally thank Misty for her contribution to the Body of Christ through these songs. Every saint needs a soundtrack for the earthly journey. Misty knows how to provide that.

 Soul Cry

As the deer pants for the water, my soul longs for You
As the body dies without water, my soul dies without You
They may say, “Come on, get over it
Drink, be merry, for tomorrow we die”
That’s why I’d rather sit in the house of mourning
Than at the table with fools
Blessed are the hungry—You said it, I believe it
Hunger is an escort into the deeper things of You
You satisfy, you satisfy
My soul cries, my soul cries, my soul cries for You
Take me to the place where You satisfy, take me to the river
I’ll do anything, God; there is no price, take me to the river
They may say, “Come on, get over it, everything is okay”
They may say, “Why the hunger?
Why the thirsting? Why the mourning?”
But my soul cries, my soul cries
All my tears You hold in a bottle; You will pour them out like rain
Weeping endures for the night, for the night
But joy comes in the morning, joy comes in the morning
Blessed are the hungry, blessed are the thirsty
You said it, I believe it; I believe it, I believe it
Hunger is the escort into the deeper things of You
Deep is calling out to deep is calling out to deep
Yesterday’s depth is feeling really shallow
I’ve gotta go deeper, deeper, deeper still
And all Your waves and all Your billows crash over me
Pulling me deep, deep, deeper
From glory to glory, from strength to strength
From depth to depth, I want to fellowship with You
You’re not so far away, it’s not too mysterious
You’re living on the inside of me, Your Spirit on the inside of me
Spring up, O well; spring up, O well; spring up, O well, within me

I Love You

A spontaneous love song of the Father to His child, the Husband to His bride. The lyrics are profound and worth fully listening to. This song is incredibly personal to me and my earthly dad. It's been one of those "theme" songs that have accompanied us along our journey.

Isaiah 49

Lyrics are underneath the video on Youtube. The lyrics are taken from this chapter of Scripture.

I will Waste My Life

(lyrics on video)

Let Me Love You More

I'm in love with a Man I'm in love with a Stranger
I'm in love with my Maker whom I have never seen
I'm in love with the Lamb I'm in love with the Lion
I'm in love with my Savior whom I have yet to know

O won't You let me love You more, this is all that I desire
Won't You let me love You more this is all that I require
Won't You let me love You more this is my deepest heart's desire
Won't You let me love You more still more and more

You could give to me the gift of walking on water
Maybe I will raise the dead
I have one life to live all I have to give to You is love
I have one life to live all I have to give to You is love

If I never walk on water if I never see the miracles
If I never hear your voice so loud
Just knowing that You love me is enough to keep me here
Just hearing those words is enough is enough to satisfy
You do You do You satisfy I couldn't leave even if a tried
I must have You I must have You

When it's been said and when it's all been done
When the race is run it all comes to love

Garden

I am a garden enclosed
A locked garden, a fountain sealed
I am Your resting place
I am Your resting place

Here oh Lord have I prepared
A place for You to dwell
Here in the reservoir of me
That You would dwell in my heart
That I would be in You and You would be in me

That I could fellowship with God
Here where it's You and me alone
The very glory of God on the inside of me
I want to fellowship with You

Here it's You and me alone God
You and me alone
Here it's You and me alone God
You and me alone

I am Your resting place
For You said that You would be in me
If I would abide in the vine
Christ in me the hope of my glory

You and me alone God
You and me alone
Here it's You and me alone God
You and me alone

And You hedge me in with skin all around me
I'm a garden enclosed
A locked garden
Life takes place behind the face

Where it's You and me alone God
Here it's You and me alone
Here it's You and me alone God
You and me alone

And You hedge me in with skin all around me
I'm a garden enclosed, a locked garden
Life takes place behind the face

Where it's You and me alone God
You and me alone
You and me alone God
You and me alone

So come into Your garden, come into Your garden
Come into Your garden, come into Your garden
So come into Your garden, come into Your garden
Come into Your garden, come into Your garden

I'm no longer my own, I'm Your garden
I'm no longer my own, I'm Your garden

 Silence

Silence calls like the rain to a parched land, I
drink You in again
No longer thirsting for what could never
satisfy, I'm thirsty,thirsty for you
In silence You call, in quiet You hide, in secret
You wait for a lovesick bride
Jesus, I'm here, Jesus, I am Yours and your
are mine
Jesus, I have come to steal you heart again
Silence call like the waver ever crashing on
my shore
this broken heart Your voice calling me
To quiet places where you hide waiting for a lovesick bride
To come and steal You heart with one glance
of my eye
With one glance of my eye
All I ever wanted is You
All I ever needed is You
In silence, in quiet, in secret
Silence comes like a rain, like the rain.