What is an atmosphere of worship? Is it a sweet keyboard pad? Is it dim lighting with candles, coffee, and couches? Is it the third key change of ‘Shout to the Lord’?
Last night at our worship team Refresh Night, I shared a little tidbit out of the book of Acts, relating to a particular ‘atmosphere’ of worship. Check this out:
“Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a member of the court of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off” (Acts 13:1-3).
I notice three things about this ‘atmosphere’ that was cultivated through their worship:
- The Holy Spirit spoke
- The will of God was revealed
- People were commissioned
What if this happened more often when we gathered to worship God? As we single-mindedly set our hearts upon glorifying Christ, He speaks to us, reveals His will, and sends us out with His boldness.