Lent is coming up, a time in which the Litany is in many places sung frequently in our Lutheran services. In the Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod, the Litany (or "Great Litany") is normally sung or said with the pastor speaking several paragraphs of text before the congregation gives a short response. This is the way it's set forth in Lutheran Service Book, pp. 288-89. When the musical version is used (see LSB Altar Book), the pastor usually sings his parts with several cadences (the change in notes at the end of each line) before the congregation sings their response.
In an article back in 2017 I showed that this is actually a deformation of what a litany is. A litany is essentially responsive prayer, with short petitions by the liturgist followed each time by a short response of the congregation. When it is recited this way, there is a beautiful liturgical rhythm between pastor and people, one calling out and the other answering in a regular rhythm--almost like breathing. When the litany is sung, the pastor's cadence should signal to the people that it is time for their response.
So back in 2017 I showed historically and practically that in order to restore the litany to its purpose as responsive prayer and as easily sung by heart (without needing to read from a book), the people's responses need to be repeated after each semicolon in the pastor's part, or at least at the end of each paragraph.
Sometimes pastors I know have resisted having the congregation repeat their response at the end of each paragraph, claiming that it will unduly lengthen the Litany and thus be burdensome to the people. However, I have timed the Litany with and without responses at the end of each paragraph. The difference is only 32 seconds when spoken, and 45 seconds when sung. Surely this is not too great a burden that would prevent us from putting the words of prayer in the mouths of the people more often, and allowing the musical cadence to signal the response of the people.
(When I say "responses at the end of each paragraph," what I mean is: "Liturgist. From all sin, from all error, from all evil; Congregation. Good Lord, deliver us. L. From the crafts and assaults of the devil; from sudden and evil death; C. Good Lord, deliver us. L. From pestilence and famine; from war and bloodshed; from sedition and from rebellion; C. Good Lord, deliver us." Etc.
When I say "responses after each semicolon," what I mean is: "L. From all sin, from all error, from all evil; C. Good Lord, deliver us. L. From the crafts and assaults of the devil; C. Good Lord, deliver us. L. from sudden and evil death; C. Good Lord, deliver us. L. From pestilence and famine; C. Good Lord, deliver us. L. from war and bloodshed; C. Good Lord, deliver us. L. from sedition and from rebellion; C. Good Lord, deliver us." Etc.)
So before Lent, I invite you to read my 2017 article and restore the Great Litany in your congregation.
