The theme for day nine is worship evangelism from Acts 16:16-37. God has extended himself to us and desires nothing more than that we respond whether that is as individuals, where two or three are gathered together, or corporately as a congregation. In fact, we are to be His dwelling place in
Ephesians 2:19–22 Consequently, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens of the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are built up together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
As we turn our hearts toward Him in worship the Holy Spirit moves among us and works to open the hearts of those that might receive Jesus. People may receive a word of knowledge or wisdom or healing, but somehow, they will receive a special touch from God. As we recognize God for who He is and give thanks as in
Psalm 100:3–4 Know that Yahweh, he is God; he made us and we are his. We are his people and the sheep of his pasture. 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving, his courts with praise. Give thanks to him; bless his name.
And, as we enter God’s throne room, God extends mercy and we find grace as in
Hebrews 4:16 Therefore let us approach with confidence to the throne of grace, in order that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Acts 16 is a testimony of the power of worship as in
Acts 16:25 Now about midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.
After being beaten, locked in the deepest part of the prison, with no instruments, no lights, and no worship leader Paul and Silas turned the prison into a place of worship as they, two prisoners, began singing and praising God. As they did, something happened. We who are Christians understand what happened, the presence of God came in. Paul and Silas were no longer bound and in the dark but entered the realm of the Spirit where God is (see Revelation 1:9-18, Revelation 4:1-11) then in
Acts 16:26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened and all the bonds were unfastened.
Suddenly, everyone was awake and the jailer feared for his life because the prisoners might escape so in
Acts 16:29–31 And demanding lights, he rushed in and, beginning to tremble, fell down at the feet of Paul and Silas. 30 And he brought them outside and said, “Sirs, what must I do so that I can be saved?” 31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household!”
The jailer was witness to the power and presence of God and immediately responded “Sirs, what must I do so that I can be saved?” and he and his whole household accepted Jesus Christ as their savior that night. We could call this worship evangelism because there was no preaching, no teaching, no invitation, simply two beaten and bruised prisoners lifting up songs of praise to the Lord. It was the adoration of God by his children that creates a holy presence. The act of worship by Paul and Silas invited the presence of God into that place and the power of God did what words could not. Worship has the same impact today.
Take time to worship God yourself. Pray for a heart of worship in your local congregation. Recognize corporate worship as the catalyst for unity as you are agreeing and seeking a powerful move of the Holy Spirit as the presence of God enters in. Expect the power of the presence to work in the hearts and lives of those around you in ways you cannot explain with words.
Take this example with you to church services and intercede for the time of worship asking the Holy Spirit to reveal the presence of God. Ask the Lord to direct your worship leaders to be sensitive to how the spirit might be working in the lives of people. Pray for hearts to be stirred and captives to be released. Expect physical and emotional healing as unseen bonds fall from people throughout the congregation. Ask God to cause people to be saved through worship just as he did with the jailer in Acts 16.
Expect high praise in your congregation as you lift your voices to God together. Pray for biblical worship using examples of other great scenes of warship in the Bible like David’s adoration in 1 Chronicles 29:10–13 or 2 Chronicles 20:1-30.
Rebuke the spirit of entertainment and the religious spirit of the dead routines of the liturgy. Bind all the spirits of doubt and apathy and deception that want to hinder the entrance of the glory of God. Claim in Jesus’ name, a hunger for God and uninhibited expression of love for God.
The Word Guiding Prayer for the Day
Acts 16:5 So the churches were being strengthened in the faith and were growing in number every day.
Ephesians 5:18–20 And do not be drunk with wine (in which is dissipation), but be filled by the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and singing praise in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to the God and Father
John 4:23 But an hour is coming—and now is here—when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for indeed the Father seeks such people to be his worshipers.
The Needs
Wait
Wait on God for wisdom to pray for your church’s worship
John 4:23-24
Agree
Agree in prayer for excitement and renewal of worship and praise
Matthew 18:18
Request
Request the manifestation of God‘s presence in the services
Psalm 22:3
Pray for a spirit of Thanksgiving in the musicians and singers
Psalm 100:4
Beseech
Beseech the Holy Spirit to anoint your worship leaders
Zechariah 4:6
Loosen
Loosen a spirit of conviction for sin and a desire for conversion in your worship services
Acts 16:30-31
Envision many asking the question “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” Bind unbelief and doubt.
Amen
Amen in this prayer with David:
1 Chronicles 29:10–13 Then David blessed Yahweh in the sight of all the assembly, and David said, “Blessed are you, O Yahweh, God of Israel, our father forever and ever! 11 To you, O Yahweh, is the greatness and the power and the splendor and the glory and the strength, for everything in the heavens and in the earth. Yours, O Yahweh, is the kingdom and exaltation over all as head! 12 And wealth and glory are from you, and you rule over all. And in your hand is power and might. And in your hand is power to make great and to give strength to all. 13 And now, our God, we give thanks to you and offer praise to the name of your splendor.
Answers
Record victories in worship.
Acts 16:5 So the churches were being strengthened in the faith and were growing in number every day.
Day 9 Reading
- Acts 16:16-37
References
- 1. Teykl, T. (Dr.). (1997), Acts 29: 50 Days to Invite the Holy Spirit. Prayer Point Pr. https://www.amazon.com/Acts-29-Days-Invite-Spirit/dp/1578920450/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ref_=nav_signin&&linkCode=ll1&tag=prayny-20&linkId=f53533b082e7ab3aa9a206bf08fd85db&language=en_US