Worship

We will usually set the scene by praising Him for who He is and by thanking Him for everything He has done for us. This will often be helped by the use of lively worship songs, blended with Psalms or other appropriate Scriptures. We will probably have a reflective period when we consider those things which we have not done too well and the sins we have knowingly or unknowingly committed; we would then ask for His forgiveness, often in a time of quiet. We might well continue, then, with a more gentle time of adoration when we focus on Jesus, invoking the help of the Holy Spirit to do so.

A worship time will last as long as the leader senses that the Holy Spirit is drawing our attention to the Lord Himself .....when that time draws to a natural close, we would then move into the next phase of the service.

Very often, the teaching about God's word leads clearly to a point when it is necessary for the congregation to think seriously about what they have just heard, and ask themselves if God is saying something particular to them. This might give rise to a time of quiet, of meditation for a few minutes while each person considers his/her response. Those who feel a definite call to respond would be invited to seek prayer, either right then, or immediately after the close of the service.

After the service a time for Ministry is usually offered when anyone who wishes can ask for prayer with one of the ministry team.

As we said before, this could be for some matter arising out of the service, or in fact, it can be for any need which the person might have.

We begin by asking the Holy Spirit to come upon the person in power, we fully believe and know, that He always comes when invited.

People react in different ways to the touch of the Spirit....some will sit, or stand, quietly, showing no outward sign. Some may fall to the floor: we refer to this as "resting in the Spirit" and it is no way harmful or anything to be worried about. It is simply God's way of choosing how He will do business with that particular person. It is almost as if He says: "I am going to lay you on the floor and keep you there, away from other distractions, while I talk with you" .Some people may show an outward sign of God ministering to them, often bringing them some particular joy, or release from a burden. Others will cry: again, we believe that this may well be God at work, possibly bringing some hurt to the surface to be healed, or perhaps reminding them of some sin He wishes to forgive.

Whatever reaction, inward or outward, God is sovereign and will deal with each individual as He sees fit. We do not need to see outward manifestations. God does His work in His way. What we do know for absolute certain is that we are all precious to Him, and that He will do with us only that which is for our own good, whether immediately or ultimately.

This page was created on Thursday 28 June 07 and last updated on Sunday 08 February 09