Singers Who Prophesy

This week's blog comes from a thoughtful article from my Pennsylvania buddy, Dave Helmuth, and discusses the reality that what we singers do up front on a Sunday morning is more than repeat the lyrics to a song list. We help to communicate the heart and passion of God for and to the Congregation. In essence we prophecy to and with them.

What if worship singers' main role is to prophesy (declare the emotion and heart of God)? I was reading in 1 Chronicles 25 and the heading in my bible for that chapter is "The Singers." I was struck by the directive this seems to give us as singers. In referring to the singers, it states "David... set apart some... for the ministry of prophesying accompanied by (the band)." Hmmm...so how would my singers sing if they realized they are to be prophesying? First, before you get uptight, overwhelmed, or theological about folks prophesying, here's what I mean. I may be prophesying if I "sound like I've been with God" because I know who God is and what He's like and say and do things that are reflected in scripture. If I have a current, growing relationship with Him, He will be revealing Himself to me more and more, and that will spill out. Matthew Henry's Commentary says this:  "To prophesy, in this place, means praising God with great earnestness and devout affections, under the influences of the Holy Spirit." So what's the difference between a singer who just sings and one who prophesies? (great question!)

Singers Prophesy To prophesy, I have to hear God. To sing, I have to hear myself. To prophesy, I have to be clear. To sing, I can watermelon. To prophesy, I have to walk in fearless obedience. To sing, I can just show up because I was on the schedule this week.    To prophesy, I have to realize I'm only a conduit. To sing, I can be the singer in the spotlight.  So let's sing hearing God, being clear, walking in fearless obedience, and remembering that we're a conduit. How can you be more intentional?

Hear God To prophesy, I have to hear God. To sing, I have to hear myself. So, if i'm going to hear God (like the "Shepherd's-voice-hearing-sheep" that He says I am), there are at least three things I need to do: 1. Get to know the God revealed in scripture 2. Be in growing relationship with Him through private prayer and worship 3. Ask Him for specific revelation

Be Clear To prophesy, I have to be clear. To sing, I can watermelon. There's a message when I prophesy. In fact, it's all about the message. (how many prophets checked their outfits or tried to look cool?) This may just help you sing with greater enunciation and emotion. But let the subtext and poetry inspire you and sing with great meaning.

Walk in Fearless Obedience To prophesy, I have to walk in fearless obedience. To sing, I can just show up because I was on the schedule this week. No matter what we feel prompted to do, we need to walk in it. Think of it more as a posture of your heart to walk out, not defined by your track record. And don't "worst case scenario" either, because you don't have the grace for the future, just for right now. Walk in grace. And do what He says.

Realize I'm only a Conduit   To prophesy, I have to realize I'm only a conduit. To sing, I can be the singer in the spotlight. You can tell a story about something that happened to you in two ways. In one, it's clearly about you. In the other, it's about the shared experience, the truth gleaned, the humor, the point. You're not the point. Tell the story (read: sing) so that He is the point, not you.

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