Prophetic song brings transformation simply because the glory of God transforms us, and God inhabits His people’s praises. But there are a few themes that go with transformation. Use them, and then ask for testimonies of people whose lives have changed in worship.
I Samuel 10 tells of a richly detailed prophetic word Samuel gave Saul as he became Israel’s first king. The passage is too long to quote here, but verse 6 identifies what God meant the experience to accomplish: “Then the Spirit of the LORD will come upon you, and you will prophesy with them and be turned into another man.”
If you read the passage yourself, you’ll see that Samuel prophesied of three encounters. Men would meet Saul and say his father no longer cared about the errand he had sent Saul on; he was simply concerned for him. Other men would meet him, carrying everything needed for sacrifice. And the third group would be prophetic singers; the Spirit that was upon them would come upon him, making him another man. These three groups of people represent three main influences that need to happen in our lives as we look for God to transform us.
The Father’s unconditional love. Saul’s father cared more about him than about what he had given him to do, and our heavenly Father cares even more for all His children. Though we all need to embrace the calling God places on our lives, our first calling is to come into relationship with Him. It’s not about what we accomplish; it’s about knowing Him and being with Him.
Ironically, many of us find that God’s unconditional love makes us more fruitful, not less. We do what we’re called to do not because we have to but because we want to. We love Him because He first loved us, and when we love Him, we keep His commandments. Sing of God’s unconditional love.
The Son’s perfect sacrifice. The men Saul met didn’t offer a sacrifice for him, but they did carry a goat, which could be used in Old Testament sacrifices; and they carried bread and wine, the memorial of Jesus’ sacrifice.
The Spirit of prophecy is the testimony of Jesus. The word of His cross is the power of God for salvation, healing, and deliverance. As you sing of Jesus and His perfect offering for sin, it releases God’s power to set His people free.
The outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The word of God isn’t just a clever intellectual message, nor is it a well-crafted program. When the word and Spirit mix, lives change supernaturally.
This is what God offered Saul, and Saul was indeed powerfully touched with his one-time experience. But once wasn’t enough; he needed to keep immersing himself in the presence of God so the transformation could sink into the deepest parts of him.
Saul’s experience wore off, but David’s didn’t. David treasured the presence of God, and reached for Him as often as he could. David therefore became the only king of Israel whose reign ended as well as it began.
We serve our people well if we cherish the flow of the Holy Spirit as we worship.
Collect testimonies. Focus on these three themes – the Father’s unconditional love, Jesus’ perfect sacrifice, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit – as you engage in prophetic worship. And ask people to share how God is using the worship to transform their lives. Teach them to expect to be changed. Then as they share their testimonies, a sense of momentum will grow.
But don’t just wait for the rest of the church. Use these themes as you seek God in your personal devotions. Sing a new song to Him, and let Him create a new heart in you.
Prophetic Song 