THE GIFT OF PROPHECY: THE TRIGGER OF CORPORATE WORSHIP

05/16/2024

"As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them” (Acts 13:2).

The importance and power of corporate worship is that, if done properly, it can instigate the Holy Spirit to make destiny-altering pronouncements. In today's theme scripture, we find that the destinies of Barnabas and Saul were significantly enhanced by this one time when they engaged with others in corporate worship. 

Before this encounter, the Bible accounts that Barnabas and Saul occupied the offices of prophets and teachers. The Bible says, "Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul." (Acts 13:1)

However, after Acts 13:2, Barnabas and Saul are ordained into the offices of the apostle. Acts 13:3-4 says, "Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away. So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus." 

Question. How did the church know that the perfect will of the Father was for Barnabas and Saul to transition from being prophets and teachers to becoming apostles? The answer is prophecy. But how did they come under such a strong move of the Holy Spirit conducive for this prophecy to go forth? We return to Acts 13:2 where the Bible says,  "...they ministered to the Lord and fasted..." 

In essence, a corporate ministry to the Lord coupled with fasting triggered prophecy in this instance. This ministry to the Lord coupled with fasting is a type of corporate worship wherein a church elects to wait exclusively on the Lord in their devotion. At such times, when called, the only focus of a body of believers, no matter their number,  is the majesty of the Lord Jesus. 

These are the ones Isaiah described as those who wait on the Lord and renew their strength.  Isaiah 40:31 says, " Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary." Waiting on the Lord here implies waiting on God to speak His mind to us through prophecy. 

This is why we must endeavor to come together every time a call is made to worship or fast because as we wait on the Lord, prophecy will proceed. 

Spend some time right now digesting today's devotional by speaking in other tongues. Let the joy of the Lord overtake your soul and rejoice because there is a testimony for you today. Bless the Lord and receive this word by faith.  

Have a glorious day.

Faith-Filled Confession

I take delivery of everything the Lord has earmarked for me today. I am full of glory and rejoicing knowing that the One to whom I wait upon in worship and fastings, speaks expressly, and in Your words, we are guaranteed certain victory, I yearn for You today O Lord! Speak through Your Body, O Lord,  that we may find succor in the kisses of Your lips. For Your love is better than life. Hallelujah! 

Prayer 

Today, stand in the gap for the city where you live, asking God to forgive past offenses against certain persons and groups that arose from the actions of ignorant Christians in the past. 

Pray that He will cause Christians in your city and country to restitute for the actions that have created a blockade in the spirit so that many more might come to Christ. 

Declare that the justification of the enemy to hold many in atheism, queerness, and hedonism based on hurt they experienced from Christians is broken. In Jesus' name,

One-Year Bible Reading Plan: 2 Kings 18-19; John 6:22-44