My desire, as a worship leader, is to have God’s presence, power, anointing and blessing when leading my local congregation. It is God’s presence that changes lives. It is God’s presence that heals peoples hearts and bodies. Here are some suggestions and guidelines to open the door for God’s blessings on your leading and worship.
1. Seek God’s Presence: Begin your worship preparation with personal time in prayer and seeking God’s presence. Allow yourself to be filled with His Spirit before leading others in worship. A period of fasting can also open the door for God to work in your life.
The most effective worship leaders regularly (daily) meet with God in their private prayer time. Their private time with God is more important than their public ministry.
You have said, “Seek My face.” My heart says to You, “Your face, LORD, do I seek.” Psalm 27:8 ESV
2. Surrender and Humility: Approach worship leading with a humble and surrendered heart. Acknowledge your dependence on God and recognize that the focus should be on Him, not on your performance.
Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to Your name goes all the glory for Your unfailing love and faithfulness. – Psalm 115:1 NLT
3. Choose Anointed Songs: Choose songs and worship elements that align with God’s Word and resonate with the congregation. Choose a variety of faster and slower songs that reflect the joy and greatness of serving God. And let the lyrics and themes also reflect the message of God’s majesty, holiness, love, grace, and faithfulness.
I will sing of the goodness and lovingkindness of the LORD forever; With my mouth I will make known Your faithfulness from generation to generation. – Psalm 89:1 AMP
4. Spirit-Led Worship: Be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit during the worship service. Be sensitive to His promptings and allow room for spontaneous moments of worship.
The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” Let anyone who hears this say, “Come.” Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life. – Revelation 22:17 NLT
5. Authenticity: Be genuine and authentic in your worship expression. Avoid putting on a performance; instead, lead with sincerity and a desire to connect with God and the congregation. Let your passion for God be evident in your body language and worship.
Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ – Matthew 22:37 NLT
6. Encourage Participation: Foster an atmosphere of congregational participation. Encourage the congregation to engage in worship through singing, prayer, and the actions of worship.
Praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, who minister by night in the house of the Lord. Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord. – Psalm 131:1-2 NIV
7. Develop Musical Skill: Keep working on improving your musical skills, whether it’s vocal, instrumental, or both. Excellence in your musical abilities can improve the worship experience for the congregation. Help your worship team to grow and improve. Have great rehearsals that help your musicians get past the music and worship. (See: 10 Tips On Improving Your Worship Band Rehearsal)
Sing to Him a new song; Play skillfully with a shout of joy. – Psalm 33:3 NKJ
8. Build Unity: Foster a sense of unity and community within the worship team. A united team, working in harmony, can foster an environment where God’s presence is more likely to dwell.
How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! – Psalm 133:1 NIV
9. Cultivate a Lifestyle of Worship: Let your worship leading extend beyond the church service. Cultivate a lifestyle of worship through personal devotion, Bible reading, prayer, and a commitment to live in accordance with God’s Word.
One day soon afterward Jesus went up on a mountain to pray, and He prayed to God all night. – Luke 6:12 NLT
10. Receive Feedback with Humility: Be open to feedback from both the congregation and fellow worship team members. Use constructive criticism to grow and refine your approach to leading worship.
If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise. – Proverbs 15:31 NLT
Remember that God’s anointing and blessing are not dependent solely on your abilities but on your heart’s posture and your reliance on Him. Continually seek His guidance, stay connected to His Word, and lead with a servant’s heart, seeking to put God first and encouraging your congregation to worship Him.
Question: What other areas have you found that opened up God’s blessings and anointing on your worship leading?
