Prophetic Worship: What To Do When You Don’t Know What To Do

Most of us have had the experience of seeing the Lord moving in a powerful way during a worship time but not really knowing how to partner with that. There have been many times I have been on a platform and felt a shift in the atmosphere and then not known what to do next.

We are never going to have all the answers. But we can learn to read a situation so that we are more strategic and better equipped to step into what the Lord is doing. I like to think of it as being responsible with the gifts the Lord has given me by studying, preparing and spending time with Him. Our focus will always be on loving the Lord and honoring Him and then out of that should flow learning how to host Him during our worship encounters.

Here are some thoughts for you to consider when you are faced with that moment of not knowing what to do when leading worship:

1. Prayer and worship is a dialogue not a monologue

Don’t feel you need to fill up everything with a song. Creating space to listen as well as speak/sing is so important. Don’t be afraid of silence. It’s ok to have space. We often practice our songs but how about practicing space or silence? I find in the moments of rest and quiet the Lord is willing and ready to speak. Many times He is not speaking because He can’t get a word in!

2. If it’s not working, move to the next song/section

Don’t feel you need to keep playing or singing something over and over unless you have a prompting by the Holy Spirit to do so. If it’s not working move to the next song. Sometimes we can even get ‘stuck’ in a spontaneous moment that is going nowhere. This can distance people from their worship experience with God. Just let it go and move on. It’s ok! We can think that we are singing something that is anointed and as we are doing so, the congregation is disengaging – sitting down, yawning, disconnecting. These spontaneous moments then become a little self indulgent. The worship team is having a great time but no one else is really understanding what is happening.

3. Allow a musical space: ‘Selah’

I have always believed that musical instruments can speak. I have often heard a guitarist or a drummer play a musical interlude that was powerful in releasing something during a worship time. If I listen intentionally, I can even get a sense of what the instrument is trying to say. That may seem strange but if you workshop this, you will find that a group of people (i.e. in a rehearsal) can often communicate what an instrument is trying to reflect. This certainly takes a sensitivity to listen and lead with your spiritual ears. It means always being alert to what the Lord is trying to communicate.

Remember that it is okay not to know. In the moment use the ‘space’ to ask the Lord questions, what is He looking to release, where He wants to go…and so on. Enjoy the journey!

Question: What experiences can share on flowing prophetically in worship? Let’s chat in the comments below!