Could we draw a connection between a lack of fear and reverence for God during“ worship” and the recent downfall of prominent leaders from our faith communities?
Worship teams in the body of Messiah have tendered many types of songs as forms of worship. In this article I will classify some of these songs according to their relational nature. In a follow-up article, I will discuss how worship equips the body of Messiah for Kingdom work.
Prayer is one type of song labeled as worship. For this discussion, prayer is engaging with God while hoping or expecting to receive something we want. The relational dynamic of prayer is like a boomerang – we ask, God gives, and we receive. Often what we pray for is a change in our circumstances. Asking God to save us or rescue us from our plights is not wrong or even unbiblical. He is, in fact, our deliverer and redeemer. Philippians 4:6 instructs us to make our requests known to God about everything. But when we call the boomerang activity“ worship,” we walk a fine line. Invoking the power of God to revamp our uncomfortable situations borders on witchcraft, a practice that summons supernatural power to manipulate or change circumstances. Prayer songs aim for God to understand our will and our desires, and not our trying to understand God’ s thoughts and His heart. The promise of Philippians 4:6-7 is not a change in circumstances, but shalom that we can’ t understand.