Part 1: Prayer leads to Worship

This is part 1 of a two part study on worship that is focused on prayer, worship, and power.  I want to take a look at 2 Chronicles 20:1-23, where we see Jehoshaphat preparing for battle.  There are three elements that stand out to me in these verses.  There is prayer, worship, and liberation. 

Jehoshaphat Reigned in Judah and "the Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the earlier ways of his father David.  He did not seek the Baals" (17:3).  He served and loved the Lord.  He had "great riches and honor", and "His heart was courageous in the ways of the Lord" (17:5-6).  Jehoshaphat had every opportunity to become a prideful king in any situation that confronted him. 

In Chapter 20, Jehoshaphat is being challenged into battle by what his men called "a great multitude of people".  His first reaction was to seek help from the Lord through a time of fasting and prayer.  He had a prayer meeting with his community to seek the Lord.  During this prayer meeting the "Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel" (20:14).   Jahaziel quickly shared what the Lord had revealed to him that He is with them--that this great battle was "not theirs but Gods" (20:15).  Judah was strengthened and they went into a time of worshipping the Lord.  We are told that Jehoshaphat "bowed his head with his face to the ground" (20:18), to worship the Lord.  Still others lifted their voices in a "very loud voice" (20:19), in praise.

Up to this point, here is what has happened:  Jehoshaphat, through his time of prayer, was reminded of God's promises and they entered into worship.  The process was prayer, hearing from God, then worshiping. We MUST take away from Jehoshaphat's wisdom and example.  Most of us know this simple process, but it's not practiced enough.
 
As Christ-followers and worship leaders we get in a comfortable routine of singing, and calling it worship.  I can lead a time of singing to the Lord with little thought or preparation, but I can't lead true worship without first praying to the Lord.  Just like what Jehoshaphat experienced,  our meetings will enable the Spirit to move on people and us if we first cry out to God.

John Killinger, in his chapter called "The Intangible Side of Worship" said, "Everything we do--the preparation of worship as well as its execution--should be an offering to God.  If this is true for both pastor and people in worship, the separate items of the liturgy become a holy dance in which we whirl round and round with the Spirit. Something truly miraculous happens--a theophany."

True worship must be superseded by first a time of focused prayer.  It's impossible to get God's heart, ideas, vision, perspective, compassion, and love if we don't pick up the phone and call him.  Jehoshaphat found peace, freedom, and a true reason to worship through seeking the Lord.  Prayer before worship must be a priority.

Clothing Yourself Takes Action

I recently officiated a wedding in Seattle for some dear friends of mine.  The verse they chose to reflect on in their ceremony was Colossians 3:12-17.  Paul is writing to the church in Colossae.  There is no other letter from Paul that is focused on the centrality of Christ as this letter is.  In my preparation, this verse really spoke to me.  Paul's telling the church, the people, to take action in becoming more like Christ.  He uses words of action like “Put on” or “clothe yourselves” (depending on your translation) to encourage us as believers to become more like Christ.  We are “God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved” vs.12.  When we went from death to life and Christ came into our lives, we didn’t leave the fallen world we live in.  It’s still there, our sinful nature is still there, so the challenge now, with the help of the Holy Spirit is to set your sights on the realities of heaven.

We need to start “clothing ourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” Vs. 12.  It’s a practice and many times it’s difficult with the situations handed to us.  The more we actively clothe ourselves in all situations, the more the Holy Spirit will form our hearts and souls towards these attributes becoming who we truly are.

The truth is, we must learn and be renewed to know our Creator and become more like Him.  That is why we spend time in prayer and reading the Word.  Not to fulfill a request, but to walk closer to Him, to hear His thoughts, to feel His heart, to see His actions. 

Is that what your worship time looks like?  Passionately drawing closer to Him to know him intimately?

Worship leaders, and I’m guilty of this as well, fall into the trap of only practicing worship in an effort to lead worship corporately.  The heart is right, but the actions are wrong.  Instead, our goal needs to focus on intimately drawing closer to Him through worship.  We draw closer to God for our relationship with Him, and when we do lead corporately, God’s heart, desires, voice, and passion will flow out of you because you’re standing so close to Him.  That’s how we lead people… that’s how we find the strength and wisdom to clothe ourselves in all situations… that’s how we let Christ rule our hearts… that’s how we find peace.  As verse 11 states, “Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.”

Situational Worship

I love Acts 6 and 7 about Stephen who was "full of grace and power", Acts 6:8. He was among people doing God's work when those belonging to the synagogue rose up against him. The problem was, "they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking." Acts 6:10. The solution was to have men lie so they could bring him in front of the council and put him on trial.

If I put myself in Stephens shoes for a brief moment… I'm in a bit of rage! How could you put me on trial and rise people up against me. I'm showing love and compassion for your people and doing great wonders and signs!

Stephen had a different perspective as his heart was now full of grace and power for the men of the synagogue. "And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel." Acts 6:15.

Stephen, knows that some of his buddies were on trial a few times before, and the council is becoming fed up with what these followers of Jesus are doing. He knows that his life is in danger for what they believe was blasphemy against Moses and God. Stephens stance was not to fight that accusations, but to help them realize the blessings and saving grace of Jesus of Nazareth. He starts to give the cliff notes of Joseph and how God used one man, in an unlikely situation, to bring redemption to their people. He recounts how Moses, who was chosen by God to bring their ancestors out of slavery. And even though Moses showed many signs and wonders from God, the people still rejected Moses and turned from God. The men of the council knew the stories and Old Testament very well, but Stephen wanted them to see the connection of how Jesus was sent by God for their redemption! The men of the council were enraged and took Stephen out and stoned him to death.

"As they were stoning Stephen, 'he called out, 'Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.' And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, 'Lord, do not hold this sin against them.' And when he said this, he fell asleep." Acts 7:59-60

The reality is, people will be against you. Situations will rise up that wasn't apart of our plans and we won't know why they are happening. Like Stephen, we can still have a heart of grace and worship by the power of the Holy Spirit. Stephen didn't display situational worship, but worship even to his last breath when people were throwing stones to put him to death. These passages didn't talk about him singing worship, but he was living a life of worship through the power of the Holy Spirit by doing what God called him to do. He was being obedient and putting his heart of compassion into every situation; even the trials that were against him.

As people rise up against decision we make or actions we take for His Kingdom, we must ask the Holy Spirit, whom lives in us, for an abundance of grace and wisdom. He grants wisdom to those who asks for it. Have a worshipful heart in all situations for our Redeemer is for you.

I Heart - Oh You Bring

If you haven't seen The I Heart Revolution: We're All In This Together DVD, you should check it out. It's a social justice documentary about not only preaching the Good News, but being the Good News. Here is a clip of the DVD with the song "Oh You Bring".

-SDM