ANSWER MY PRAYERS O LORD

During the Mass, the Prayer of the Faithful is a moment of collective petition, where the church brings its needs before God. Ekwem Lilian's "Answer My Prayers O Lord" is written specifically for this part of the liturgy. It provides a structured, melodic response that a choir can lead after each intercession is read. Instead of a spoken response, singing this short plea elevates the petitions, turning the congregation's shared hopes into an earnest, unified cry.

The text is straightforward and deeply trusting. The soprano line leads with a direct appeal: "The King of heaven: Answer my prayer." Underneath, the harmony parts layer different titles for God—calling out to the Saviour and Abba Father—before all voices converge in a rhythmic, urgent repetition of "Answer, answer, answer when I call." Acknowledging God as the "doer of good" and the "Everlasting King," the lyrics remind the faithful of exactly who they are speaking to.

For a choir director, a piece like this is highly practical. Its brevity means it fits perfectly into the rhythm of the intercessions without dragging out the rite. Because the melody is memorable and the words are simple, the congregation can easily catch on and join the choir, making the prayer feel truly communal.