Why are there so few opportunities to worship the Lord together? It’s so wonderful, so amazing and makes us (hopefully) more like Jesus. As we praise we are filled with more of the Holy Spirit. He baptizes us anew. We see more of His fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, and self-control. Who wouldn’t want more of that (especially those who live with us:)?
When I was in Illinois, there were two fellow staff members and a few others at the church that loved to get together informally and worship. Usually around the piano and sometimes with a guitar we would just begin to sing and proclaim Scripture. There were prayers for each other and various needs we were aware of. We would cry out for God to move in the upcoming services. Sometimes it could be dry and just us singing a few songs before we went about our day, but often it was so much more.
Many times we would sing, “I’m falling on my knees” from the song “Hungry” and everyone would be on their knees. It wasn’t uncommon to glance over and see someone on their face, prostrate before the Lord. We all looked for times when we could slip away and worship…it was such a delight to get in God’s presence and focus on Him.
So many amazing things were happening at the time in the church body and I believe this was a key to that. People crying out to God for Him to make His presence known.
Sunday morning meetings are wonderful and I’ve known the presence of the Spirit in powerful ways during these times. But there are so many other items that must be attended to (announcements, etc.).
I miss the fellowship and power of those intimate times with a few – two or three – singing and declaring the goodness of God.
With the current change in seasons I have a renewed longing for those times. I long for the expectancy they produced. Anything could happen – Jesus could do anything and He was doing it.
Lord, may it be so again in greater measure.
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