Understanding Worship
In a recent conversation with a friend, he revealed that he often feels awkward during worship. He pointed out that some people seemed sad and were crying, while others seemed happy and were rejoicing. To be honest, he makes a lot of sense. For those new to prophetic worship, the whole experience can look a bit strange.
Let’s start by defining prophetic worship
What exactly makes worship “prophetic”? Simply, it is worshiping in response to what we hear and see from heaven. You could also call it “Throne Room Worship.” Jesus said to the woman at the well, “…But the hour is coming, and is now
Truthfully, I too have felt embarrassed in worship many times, especially when I first began lifting my hands and expressing myself. While some seem to worship freely with no inhibitions, it took me quite some time to open up. So, if you identify with this statement, that’s ok. The beautiful thing is that God is more excited to see you in this process than you can even imagine!
Recently, I recall seeing people lining up to meet Queen Elizabeth. I was taken with the range of emotions on the people. She moved through the crowd surrounded by her entourage, she greeted everyone with her characteristic smile and wave. Every step and turn were clearly marked and planned in advance by her team. Children stood with flowers, timidly approaching to present them to their queen, no doubt a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Some were giddy with excitement while many stood with somber respect. Several children were overcome with emotions and were seen with tears on their cheeks. All eagerly desired a personal glimpse or smile from the queen. I couldn’t help but think, if all of this is perfectly normal in the presence of such a significant and poignant figure, why would we expect any less emotion in the presence of our King?
What are we Reflecting?
Ask Yourself: “Does my response genuinely reflect the greatness of who God is?” The more we tamper with our response, the less genuine it becomes. Some sing, some laugh, some cry, some rejoice, still others wilt with heaviness. In my own life, I have experienced nearly every range of emotions in God’s presence. We often ask, “does it matter how we respond?” The answer is mostly no. What matters is that we DO respond. The most genuine response will be one that arises out of our spirit, almost unexpectedly. Our flesh can only serve to distract from our spirit’s natural response.
Think for a minute about what worship actually is. As a bride betrothed to be married, worship is time with our bridegroom. It’s a time to grow closer and more familiar with one another. It’s where we feel and express love for each other. Without this time, we are left unaware of our
I am often struck by a range of emotions that I didn’t have coming in to worship. This often signals to me that I am entering into His presence. Fear may leave or heaviness lift. Other times, He may impart a feeling to pray for something or someone specific. One thing is certain, there is always a shift away from what’s on your mind to what is on His mind. In worship, the Holy Spirit is literally imprinting the heart of Christ into us. Every genuine encounter with the King should change us to think, feel, and love more like Him. Worship makes us more like Christ. If that is not happening, you may need a checkup.
What is on your mind when your worship? Are you thinking about the activities of the day or of what is going on around you? If so, you are missing the key. Worship is all about the position of the heart. Without a true heart response, you will get nowhere. Actually, whatever we focus on during our worship will ultimately fill your vision. If you focus on the music, it will grow to be your main concern. If
Just one word, when sung with the right mindset will usher you into the presence of God. In fact, simply turning your mind to God without speaking at all is often enough to sense His presence. Stillness seems to have become a fear for most churches. I believe it is in the stillness that truth is revealed. If Jesus is in the room, you will sense Him; if not, it will be obvious. Take some time to genuinely worship the King of Kings and let the Holy Spirit sweep you off your feet. He is waiting for you!