Worship and confession go hand and hand together. Discover the beauty and significance of worship and confession in our walk with God. Worship and confession go hand and hand together (Nehemiah 9:3; Psalm 15:1-5; Romans 14:11).

We can’t approach God without confessing our sins. Confession allows us to live in the amazing grace of God found in the forgiveness granted to us Jesus Christ. (Revelation 5:9-10; Philippians 2:9-11). As we enter into the presence of God, He will show us our sin and give us the confidence to confess. (Isaiah 6:5-6). 

True Christian worship is to both honor and obey God, to be extravagantly loving. (Psalm 86:9; Psalm 95:6). And to have submission (1 Samuel 15:22; John 4:23; Romans 12:1) to his Word and Will.

Worship is offering our lives as an act of respect and love to God. It is a willingness to exalt God and yield to His Will (Psalm 145). We can never comprehend all that God is. But the more we worship Him and the more we love to worship Him with every breath, He reveals Himself to us. (Revelation 5:9-14).  

Worship is an expression of our awe and praise for who He is. (Psalm 149). It is giving to the Lord the honor and glory He deserves 24/7.

Worship is not something we do occasionally as a ritual; it is something we need to do continually. It is the way we can express how we love Him more than anything else in life. True worship is not only confined to singing in a church building. It is the continual, heartfelt acknowledgment of God and of all His power and glory in every routine thing we do.

True worship comes out of knowing God and His good and glorious nature (Acts 17:23). Worship is a life of giving (2 Corinthians 9:7-15); we give our lives, time, and finances. We need to always remember that we are called to worship God with our every action of our lives.  

We are created to worship God, and He is worthy of being worshipped (Revelation 4:8-11). Worship is an expression of submission and respect toward God who is holy, loving, and worthy of all of our devotion (Psalm 95:1-2; Psalm 96:1-3). Our heart’s desire should be to worship God since we have been designed by Him for this purpose. God alone is worthy of our devotion, praise, and worship. He is God, our Creator, and we are commanded to praise and worship Him (Psalm 96:9; Psalm 29:2; Matthew 4:10).

A life of praise and worship fills our deepest needs and, amazingly, it also brings great joy to God and growth to us as worshippers. “The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love, he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing” (Zephaniah 3:17). 

Our true relationship with God is expressed and shown in our worship of Him. It’s our expression of His worthiness. We should not worship God in expectation of something in return, but rather as an expression of our love for Him. Such worship is reserved only for God. Only God is worthy of being worshipped, not any of His servants (Revelation 19:10). When we worship God, we are joining all of the creatures worshipping Him (Revelation 7:9-11); if we are not worshipping God, we are worshipping something or someone else.  

While we do not worship God for something in return, it is still helpful to know what does happen when we worship God. In Psalm 95:1-7 and Psalm 96:1-13, we read an invitation to “come to worship and bow down” to our God. There are many songs that call us to worship, and this Psalm is a message for the people of God to come to worship; such songs direct us to God. They are expressions of love, adoration, praise, rejoicing, celebration, petition, intercession, and confession from one’s heart.

We praise God for who He is through music as well as through prayer. Being in God’s presence stimulates our hearts and minds, making us want to praise Him for the deeds He has done, for how He has moved in history, and for His character and attributes (Revelation 4:11; Revelation 5:9-16; Revelation 11:16). His presence also moves us to confess our sins.  

God can change the world through people who truly worship. Most of the time, revival is a by-product of worship and confession; we should always worship God expecting the Spirit of God to work in and through us. He moves in different ways—sometimes for salvation, sometimes for deliverance, sometimes for sanctification or healing. As we worship Him, He also visits us through prophetic gifts. To experience these outcomes as we worship, we must open our ears to listen and open our eyes to see what God is going to do (Acts 13:2, Acts 16:25-26).  

There is no one specific way to worship God. The Old and New Testaments describe many ways of worship. Praising God in worship involves our whole being, spirit, soul, and body (1 Thessalonians 5:23; John 4:24; Psalm 103:1-5; Psalm 95:6; Psalm 150:1-6). Singing, playing musical instruments, dancing, kneeling, bowing down, and lifting hands are some of the forms of prayer and praise. “We need to present our bodies to God in worship in a posture consistent with the inner spirit in worship” (Romans 12:1). 

We can express our worship through physical and emotional expression that results in dance and body movement. This is an appropriate response to God as long as the focal point is on true celebration in the Lord rather than on the dance itself. Intimacy causes us to meditate, even as we are singing, on our relationship with the Lord. God might call to our minds our failures in life which can lead us to the confession of sin. Tears may flow as we see our disharmony but His harmony; our unfaithfulness but His faithfulness; our limitations but His unlimited possibilities.  

What would it mean for you to live a life of worship and confession?

Global Disciples Canada is a Christian mission organization that trains local leaders living near least-reached communities to multiply disciples for Christ. One third of our world hasn’t heard the Good News of Jesus. Yet. Global Disciples refers to these as “least-reached” people, and fewer than 10% of all missionaries work among these groups. We live in a time where many of these people are within reach of a local church. Through our simple and effective strategy of training and coaching, believers share the Gospel in their own nations and cultures. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” and we’re committed to doing just that. If you are looking for a Christian mission organization to partner with to become a better disciple and help make disciples, connect with us today!

We have so much to learn about prayer, fasting, and Intercession (Philippians 4:6-7; Isaiah 58:6-8)

In Matthew 6:9-15, Jesus Christ teaches his disciples to pray:

Our Father, who is in heaven
Hallowed by your name.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we have forgiven our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

Prayer is a two-way communication process that allows us to talk with God. He wants us to communicate with Him, like two people talking face to face.

It is a personal experience and intimate connection with our loving heavenly Father. Jesus set an example for us on how and what to pray. He prayed for His disciples, for every generation to come that would follow Him. And for God’s will to be done (John 17:11-26; Luke 22:42; Hebrews 5:7; Luke 6:12-13).   

Prayer is not something we do to impress others or to show how spiritual we are. It is private time to talk with God. We need to recognize that God is our Father, He is our source of everything, and He knows our needs. He is the Father who cares, loves, and provides. He knows all of our needs even before we ask.

We need to pray for His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. These should be our priorities in prayer. We also need to ask Him for our daily bread and for all of the practical needs of our lives.    

When we begin to live and pray as Jesus did, we will see God’s power at work in every aspect of our lives and ministries. We need to continually call upon and depend on Him. And we know that He hears and answers prayers (Jeremiah 33:3; Matthew 7:7-11; Acts 1:14; 1 John 3:21-23).  

Prayer is not a life jacket we use only when we face problems (1 Thessalonians 5:17). It must be part of our lifestyle.   

God’s Word is full of prayers that are after God’s own heart and are in accordance with His will. (Exodus 33:17-19; Isaiah 43:5-9; 1 John 5:14-15; Philippians 1:9-11; Psalm 19:12; Psalm 27:11;) 

If we want to pray what is in God’s heart, we need to pray according to His word.

There is a direct connection between prayer and submission to the will of God. (John 15:7; Luke 22:42; Acts 1:14; Acts 2:42-47; Acts 4:23-33, James 4:3).

The more we pray according to His word, the more He works in and through us. Before He left, Jesus told the disciples to wait for the promise (Acts 1:4). They prayed for 10 days for the promise He had given them to be fulfilled and that they would be empowered by the Holy Spirit. Then Peter preached for 10 minutes and 3,000 people were saved.   

Praying the Word of God first changes us and then the situation for which we are praying.

In prayer, we have an encounter with God—no one can encounter God and go away unchanged (Genesis 32:24-30). Seeking God is the most important part of our prayer and fellowship time with Him. (Jeremiah 29:13; Jeremiah 32:40-41; Luke 11:9-11). It’s the only way to know Him, His will and calling for our life. (Psalm 46:10; Ecclesiastes 5:1; Isaiah 30:21). When we pray and ask God, we are exercising our faith in Him which enables us to grow in knowing Him. (James 1:17). Prayer is not only asking and receiving from God, it is the way we are drawn near God. (James 4:8).  

Sometimes prayer and fasting need to go together. We should fast and pray whenever we are truly seeking Him and His will. (Luke 18:1-8). 

Fasting is abstaining in some significant way from our routine activities and food to focus on God. Usually, it is food and drink but it can also be ministry, cell phone, computer, e-mail, etc. Fasting breaks the habit of always satisfying our own needs. It makes us depend on God to satisfy our needs for us. It must be taken seriously and prayerfully. But, it must never be a ritual. But rather a heartfelt seeking of God’s will and glory in one’s life and the life of the church. (Isaiah 58:3-9; Matthew 6:16-18).  

Moses fasted during the 40 days and 40 nights to receive the law from God (Exodus 34:28). King Jehoshaphat called for a fast in all Israel when they were about to be attacked by the Moabites and Ammonites. (2 Chronicles 20:3). In response to Jonah’s preaching, the people of Nineveh fasted and put on sackcloth (Jonah 3:5). David fasted when he knew that Saul and Jonathan had been killed (2 Samuel 1:12). Nehemiah had a time of prayer and fasting when he heard that Jerusalem was in ruins (Nehemiah 1:4).  

Anna “worshipped night and day, fasting and praying” at the Temple (Luke 2:37). Jesus fasted for 40 days and 40 nights before His temptation by Satan (Matthew 4:2). The Antioch church fasted (Acts 13:2) and sent out Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey (Acts 13:3). Paul and Barnabas spent time in prayer and fasting for the appointment of elders in the churches (Acts 14:23). Prayer and fasting have to be part of our life. In Global Disciples, we believe that everything we do has to be conceived in prayer, birthed in prayer, and carried on in prayer.  

The main purpose of fasting is to strive for a deeper fellowship with God. Through prayer and fasting, we are able to take our eyes off the things of this world and focus on Christ (Matthew 6:16-18).  

However, spending time in prayer and fasting does not automatically accomplish our desires. For example, in the prophet Isaiah’s time, the people fasted yet God did not answer in the way they wanted (Isaiah 58:3-4). Isaiah responded by saying that the external show of fasting and prayer without the proper heart attitude was in vain (Isaiah 58:5-9). Whether we fast or not, God will not give us what we ask for if it is not according to His will.

In general, the primary reason for fasting is to express our devotion and service to God, not to twist the hand of God for our gain. The length of time for fasting can vary. The most common is to skip two meals, to fast for 24 hours from lunch or dinner one day to that meal the next day. Some people fast for three days. On some special occasions, people can be led by the Holy Spirit to fast for 21 days or 40 days (Daniel 9; Matthew 4:1-10). Fasting is a matter of the heart; the length of time does not increase the spirituality of the act.   

Intercessory prayer (Job 42:8; Isaiah 62:6-7; Jeremiah 29:7; Ezekiel 22:30) is a prayer made on behalf of others as Job prayed for his friends.  Intercession is a time of prayer when we remove all of our own agendas and cry out for the Holy Spirit to invade every situation for which we are interceding, whether it be for people, churches, cities, or nations (Ephesians 6:18-20; 1 Timothy 2:1-4).  

It is standing in the gap between God and any situation, as is mentioned in Ezekiel 22:30. God is the initiator of intercessory prayer—He is always looking for intercessors. Intercession is recognizing that His ways are greater than our own while simultaneously requesting either His interference or His altering of a situation. Intercession focuses upon the beauty of the Lord while powerfully changing the circumstances of the world (Ezekiel 22:30-31). God reveals what He is going to do for those who intercede to be co-laborers in His Kingdom (Genesis 19:16-21). 

Jesus is our great model for intercession (1 Timothy 2:5). He prayed for those in need, for His disciples, and even for us (John 17:20; Luke 22:31). When Satan wanted to sift Peter as wheat, the prayer of Jesus shielded him from losing his faith. He also continued His ministry of intercession after His death and resurrection and is serving us now as our intercessor in heaven (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:23-25; 1 John 2:1-2). He also gave us the Holy Spirit to intercede for us and through us (Romans 8:26). As Jesus is interceding for us, we also need to intercede for those whom we are discipling and for those who are without Him. If we are not interceding for people, how do they come to know Him (Matthew 9:38; 1 Timothy 2:1-4)?   

Abraham interceded for Sodom (Genesis 18:23-32) and Moses for the people of Israel (Exodus 32:7-14; Psalm 106:23). Jeremiah wept for his people (Lamentations 3:48-50). The early Church also interceded for Peter (Acts 12:5-12). God is looking for persistent intercessors who regularly intercede for a third of the world who have yet to have heard the Good News of Jesus. 

How often do we intercede for our unbelieving family members?  

Intercession fills our hearts with hope, thanksgiving, worship, praise, conviction, holy anger, and, most importantly, love for all lives, circumstances, and the world. Intercession ministry is not a place to be recognized but a place where the deep love, sorrow, hope, and joy of the Lord is revealed. When we intercede, we are collaborating with God, and He responds to us.  

What motivates you to pray, fast, and intercede?

What might be one activity, one priority, and one attitude that you need to change in your perspective on prayer, fasting, and intercession? 

Global Disciples Canada is a Christian mission organization that trains local leaders living near least-reached communities to multiply disciples for Christ. One-third of our world hasn’t heard the Good News of Jesus. Yet. Global Disciples refers to these as “least-reached” people, and fewer than 10% of all missionaries work among these groups. We live in a time where many of these people are within reach of a local church. Through our simple and effective training and coaching strategy, believers share the Gospel in their own nations and cultures. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” and we’re committed to doing just that. If you are looking for a Christian mission organization to partner with to become a better disciple and help make disciples, connect with us today!

Embrace the transformative power of solitude with God and discover the joy of a fulfilling relationship with the Almighty God.

Intimacy with God requires time alone with God (Mark 1:35; Mark 6:31, Mark 6:45-46). Close friendships aren’t instantaneous; they must be cultivated over time. In the same way, walking in an intimate relationship with the Almighty must be diligently pursued. We will never achieve closeness with the Lord unless we invest time alone with Him to get to know Him.

A neglected relationship simply won’t grow in richness or depth. Are you too busy to spend time each day with Him? If that is the case, the immediate demands of your schedule are robbing you of an awesome, eternal treasure. A deep, satisfying communion with God (Luke 10:38-42). 

We can pray while others are around but we need solitude to be able to feel truly connected to God as Jesus did. We need quality time alone with God without distraction. It’s hard to hear the whisper of the Spirit with all the noises around us. So it is important to take some small part of each day and set it aside for solitude and closing the door (Matthew 6:6). It simply means walking to a quiet place as Jesus Himself did and not doing anything but leaving ourselves open to the Lord. 

Time alone with God is more than just a daily appointment with God. It’s more like a visit with our closest friend. It is very important if we want God to speak to us. Good relationships need the investment of quality time. In solitude, we withdraw from people, noise, cell phones, family, and the demands of work to be with God. We get away from all of the ministry activities and all of our roles in order to be with God alone. There is great joy in getting away from everything just to be alone with Him.   

Our time with God should be in a solitary place where there is no distraction, just us and God. This is the time when we lay down every struggle and every pain, and wait on Him in silence. It is also the time that we praise and thank Him for everything He has been doing and will do in our lives. This is the best time for us to present all that is in our hearts to God. It is also His time to talk to us and reveal to us His wonderful and perfect will for our lives.  

If we are struggling with a major decision, let’s spend time alone with God and He will answer us. If we need advice on some issues, let’s talk to Him and He will answer us.  

Let’s make a commitment to set aside “Time Alone with God” and make this time just for Him. He’s waiting for us. 

When was the last time you spent quality time with God alone?

How often do you take time alone with God to pour out everything on your heart to him?

Global Disciples Canada is a Christian mission organization that trains local leaders living near least-reached communities to multiply disciples for Christ. One-third of our world hasn’t heard the Good News of Jesus. Yet. Global Disciples refers to these as “least-reached” people, and fewer than 10% of all missionaries work among these groups. We live in a time where many of these people are within reach of a local church. Through our simple and effective training and coaching strategy, believers share the Gospel in their own nations and cultures. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” and we’re committed to doing just that. If you are looking for a Christian mission organization to partner with to become a better disciple and help make disciples, connect with us today!