“We live in a world at war. Each day is a battle for the heart . . .” – John Eldredge
One of the most prominent worshippers we see in the Bible is David. Even as a young boy, before he would become King, David would spend hours, usually alone, worshipping God, to the point where he was known for his skillful musicianship and ability to play “soothing” music unto God. When Saul’s servants identified David as someone who would be ideal to play before Saul to help him with a tormenting spirit, they described him as: “… a talented harp player. Not only that – he is a brave warrior, a man of war, and has good judgement.” (1 Samuel 16:18NLV). It’s no coincidence that David was both a worshiper and a warrior.
Like David, we must learn to learn to worship with a warrior’s heart, when needed. This may be through music, dance, art, soaking in His presence, writing, or taking a walk in nature. Whatever the format, it is a healthy spiritual discipline to actively worship God in the good and hard times – not just when we feel like we want to. It should be part of our daily routine and something we carry with us throughout the day. Not only is He worthy of our ongoing praise, but when we worship, it allows us to remove our focus on the distraction and fix our eyes on Jesus. As we worship, we position and train our hearts towards his heart, and we strengthen our hearts, minds, and spirits, while ushering in the Holy Spirit to the moment and environment we are in.
As a worship leader, I’ve had the privilege of leading and being a part of a wide variety of worship environments and experiences. Some sweet and intimate, some intense and powerful. I’ve also had moments alone, in my car or on a run, where my worship has been singing a single word: Jesus. Sometimes in a tired, whispering breath. Other times, in a desperate cry and shout for help. Each time though, worship has been a weapon to cancel out the lies from the enemy, anxiety, fear, and so much more. Through the gift of the Holy Spirit, we can worship at any time, as a way to raise a flag, a war cry, and to usher in His presence. Worship shifts the atmosphere.
There have been many times that my wife and I have played worship music in the background when our kids were fighting in the car. We tell them it is time for everyone to be quiet. No one sings aloud, but as my wife and I begin to worship under our breath, we’ve seen the tension go away. Likewise, there have been stressful times at work or in the midst of a hard life situation when I begin to worship in my heart and spirit, and I begin to see the stress go away and the situation change. Worship shifts the atmosphere.
When we learn to enter into worship when things are easy and going well, we create a bond between the Father and us. We create a spiritual discipline and develop spiritual ‘muscles’ per se. If this becomes our norm, it allows us to more easily worship when things are hard and dark – most likely when we don’t want to worship. We are raising a battlecry and inviting the Holy Spirit into the situation and atmosphere. The spiritual discipline of prayer and worship must be our ‘norm’ so that when things are the hardest and darkest it becomes our natural response.
Listening Prayer: Holy Spirit, what does it look like to have a warrior’s heart in worship? What fresh perspective of worship do you want me to embrace so I can more easily enter in? How do you want me to respond to you in worship as a weapon of warfare? Respond as the Holy Spirit directs.
Prayer: Father God, I love you. I worship you and I want to live a life of worship that honors and pleases you. Jesus may my worship be a living sacrifice that is part of my every day. Help me to make worship my natural response in the midst of opposition. Holy Spirit, show me how to worship through trials and hardships. I ask for a fresh covering of the blood of Jesus and invite the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ into my worship. Father God, I pray that my worship to you would rend the heavens and shift the atmosphere. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Resources: Verses on Worship as Warfare
Isaiah 64:1
“Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains might quake at your presence” ESV
Psalm 18: 3 & 39
“I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies. . . For you equipped me with strength for the battle; you made those who rise against me sink under me.” ESV
Ephesians 6:12
“For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” NLT
Worship Music: