Singing, dancing, praying - how faith carries us through difficult times

14 Mar 2026

Singing, dancing, praying – how faith carries us through difficult times

from Alexandra

I don’t know how long this has been going on. I gave up counting the days a long time ago. I currently take each day as it comes and the hope that this day will be the last has long since faded.

I no longer wonder whether we will be thrown out of sleep again this night. It’s as if the body has already adjusted to it and the brain no longer sleeps deeply. It slumbers with one eye open – always ready to be startled awake by the shrill sound of the cell phone.

Nights in a state of emergency

The children no longer ask where they should sleep. It goes without saying that I go to sleep with the youngest three in the shelter . Benjamin sleeps in the shared bedroom, which can no longer really be called shared as of late. When our son Zion (6 years old) is feeling as brave as his dad, he goes to bed with him – but with the promise that his dad will carry him to the safe room if the alarm doesn’t wake him up. That made me smile, because he is usually the first one in the shelter. But his dad promises him very firmly that he will look after him.

Showers are only taken during the day. It’s not so cold when you have to run out of the shower wet because of the alarm. Then it’s not so scary. Even if the children have to go to the toilet, I ask them to go and not stop.

Everyday life under missile alert

Shopping is only possible at certain times – namely when there is the least shelling. And preferably without children. I don’t want to stay on the street with the children and lie in the bushes with them, praying that the trauma won’t run too deep.

Trauma is such a broad term. It has so many facets and can manifest itself at different times. Childhood trauma doesn’t have to show itself immediately – it can lie dormant for years. I don’t want that. I don’t want my children to suffer – not now and not later.

I am not a person who buries his head in the sand in difficult times. I look for causes and ways out. How can I help my children? Have conversations, explain things in a child-friendly way if they have questions.

In the shelter, sometimes for an hour and several times day and night. Photo right: A missile from Iran flies over our house

Small steps against fear

Playing games, going outside, being aware of nature and talking about how beautiful our world is. Cooking delicious food, taking breaks more often, cuddling up on the couch. Celebrate the coming of spring – with crafts. Inviting friends over. And what I also consciously do is listen to music and dance.

I thank our Lord for all that I have and all that I am. I sing out loud and let my frustration out so that it doesn’t settle and make my soul heavy. Likewise, I call on my children to sing loudly and dance as they please. Jumping and moving uncontrollably sets a lot of energy in motion. And praying out loud to God gives us the courage to look forward again and to accept another day as it comes without being broken by it.

I asked myself: Why is that? Why is singing and dancing so good for us? Why does the act of worshipping our Lord give us so much courage and hope?

Dancing and singing in the Bible

People in the Old Testament already had the desire to dance and celebrate God.

For example, we read in Exodus 15 when God saved the Israelites from the Egyptians:

Exodus 15:20-21

Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took a timpani in her hand.
All the women followed her with timbrels and dancing.
And Miriam sang to them:
“Sing to the Lord, for highly exalted is he;
He has thrown horse and rider into the sea.”

People were happy and they were grateful. It was an act of gratitude.

Or also in:

2 Samuel 6:14

David danced before the Lord with all his might,
and he was clothed with a linen ephod.

This shows that dance can also express pure joy at God’s presence.

Singing and music were an important part of worshipping God. Many texts in the Book of Psalms call on us to praise God with instruments, song and dance.

One example is Psalm 150, where people are asked to praise God with tambourine and dance.

Psalm 150:4

Praise him with tambourine and round dance,
Praise him with strings and flute.

Laying down your burden with God

I sometimes thought I was doing it wrong. Why do I dance during tense times?

Until I started researching it. It is an absolutely natural process to let go of tension. To let go.

To tear the shackles from my joints and shake off the chains that make my heart so heavy. It is an expression of giving God the weight that is on my shoulders.

And it doesn’t have to be war. It can be grief, anger, fear, envy – yes, even unfulfilled desires. God can bear it all. Yes, he even asks for it – several times in the Bible.

For example, we read in:

Psalm 55:23

“Cast your request on the Lord; he will provide for you
and will not let the righteous be moved for ever.”

Or:

Matthew 11:28

“Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden;
I will give you rest.”

And:

Matthew 11:29

“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart. In this way you will find rest for your souls.”

Dear ones, how lucky we are: We don’t have to walk alone. We have God who walks with us and offers to carry our heavy bag.

Isn’t that reason enough to dance and sing?

Perhaps this is precisely the reason why dancing, singing and praying have such a profound effect on us. Because our soul knows that it does not have to carry the burden alone.

When we sing, when we dance, when we pray aloud to God, we remember that hope can be stronger than fear. That joy can have a place even in the midst of difficult times.

Perhaps this is precisely why the people in the Old Testament danced. Not because everything was easy – but because they knew who was carrying their burden.

And perhaps we too can remember this again and again.

That’s why I invite you: Sing loud. Dance freely. Pray honestly.
Not because life is always easy – but because God walks with us in the midst of it.

Your Alexandra