Spontaneous Worship & Prayer

Introduction

On many occasions we are too rigid and very liturgical in worship. For too long this has conditioned people to be religious and legalistic about their appearance in God's presence.

One important element of worship is response but when the response is predictive, already known, or just some lines that you have learnt of hand, it only makes us to be people of letters without the Spirit.

Does that mean there is no need for orderliness? No.

1 Corinthians 14:39-40 NKJV

Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues. [40] Let all things be done decently and in order.

Revelation 4:2-11 NKJV

Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. [3] And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald. [4] Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads. [5] And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. [6] Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back. [7] The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle. [8] The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!" [9] Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, [10] the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: [11] "You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created."

The order that is in heaven is not about arrangement or organization but rather about the influence of His presence.

Let me first establish that the first limitation we have in worship and prayer is about time. As long as we are on this side of eternity where times still govern us, our worship will still be conditioned and compelled to follow restriction of time.

However, within the limit of the time we have, we should make appearance before the Lord to worth coming to.

How should worship and prayer start?

It can start like you will start a meeting with an agenda or like an unscheduled visit (There is no time that you will come to God’s presence that you will be asked if you have an appointment)

There times God invite us specifically but there is never a time the protocol of heaven will say come back later.

John 6:37 NKJV

All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.

Revelation 4:1 NKJV

After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, "Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this."

Exodus 19:20 NKJV

Then the LORD came down upon Mount Sinai, on the top of the mountain. And the LORD called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.

Worship and prayer in the New Testament should be ministry of the Spirit not of letters

If the life of your worship is not supplied and generated by the Holy Spirit, it will become flat too soon and you will not be able to tarry long. You will be off tune and disconnected from the frequency of heaven. Being in God’s presence should be a ministry of the Spirit.

2 Corinthians 3:6-8,14-18 NKJV

who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. [7] But if the ministry of death, written and engraved on stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance, which glory was passing away, [8] how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious? [14] But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ. [15] But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. [16] Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. [17] Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. [18] But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Worship and prayer can be coordinated but not regulated

Words and disposition in worship should not be censored. It should not be an edited speech, where you are avoiding offending someone or an institution or a government. We have to be ourselves before God and cannot be pretenders before Him that created us.

Acts 13:2-4 NKJV

As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, "Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." [3] Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away. [4] So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus.

Acts 16:25-26 NKJV

But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. [26] Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's chains were loosed.

Worship and prayers should be live response based not recorded live

If what you said to God last Sunday is exactly the same words and phrases you are saying this Sunday, then you are not having live worship. Or possibly you are not growing, or you are not in relationship with the Father.

Hebrews 13:15 NKJV

Therefore, by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.

Hosea 14:2 NKJV

Take words with you, And return to the LORD. Say to Him, "Take away all iniquity; Receive us graciously, For we will offer the sacrifices of our lips.

Subject of worship and prayer should be Spirit led

Romans 8:26-27 NKJV

Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. [27] Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

John 14:16 NKJV

And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever-

1 Corinthians 14:15 NKJV

What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.

What has the Holy Spirit helped you to do during worship and prayer whether in congregational or personal prayer?

Many a times we think we must have to alter native or natural language before the Lord. What you want to say He knows; what you did not say He knows.

Conclusion

Don’t approach God with the mind that you have come to mark attendance today, so that He will not say you have not prayed or worship Him today.

If that is your mind, He does not feel your absence, because there are many others who give Him worship and if man refuse, other creations do night and day, both living and nonliving.

Psalm 19:1-4 NKJV

The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. [2] Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge. [3] There is no speech nor language Where their voice is not heard. [4] Their line has gone out through all the earth, And their words to the end of the world. In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun,

“When God’s presence is present, your presence in His presence is overshadowed to the extent that only His presence is known and not yours.”

Reference the closing hymns - 'Tis not to ask for gifts alone Author: Mary Russell Olivant, 1852-

Our Father, our Father who art in Heaven, Amen, hallow be Your name} 2ce

Watch the teaching here
Spontaneous Worship & Prayer - Methodist Missionary Chapel Canada - The Revd Bamidele Oni

Sunday Teaching

Spontaneous Worship & Prayer

Introduction