th-65One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.” Act 13:2 NLT

They were four of us at a Wednesday night prayer service for our church. I informed two of our intercessors that we did not have enough money to continue and I was ready to quit. But we still spent the time designated to pray. We did not use that time for discussing our options, trying to “figure it out”, or just encourage one another. We prayed, read scripture and worshipped. 

During that prayer time, God spoke that Pam and I were to go away on a retreat and that He would direct our next steps. We didn’t have a location, nor the money to leave our family. In the next five days we secured a retreat facility for pastors (provided free by that ministry for struggling ministers), and money came from a random man who said that God had put us on his mind. During the retreat we received specific instructions for the ministry change. What would have happened if we had failed to pray that night to listen to the instructions of the Spirit?

The Spirit is active during prayer.

  • The Holy Spirit speaks. He engages our thoughts during times of worship and prayer. Resist the temptation to go through the motions of religious activity. You never know when the Spirit may bring new direction into your life.  But He loves speaking in the presence of worship and prayer
  • Pray for your leadership to really engage in prayer for decision making. Pray for your leaders to have ears to hear what the Spirit is directing to do next.
  • Not every thought is from the Holy Spirit. We can use the plurality of one Spirit speaking to the Body to help discern what the Spirit may be saying. The Spirit spoke to all of the men about the direction that He had for Paul and Barnabas.
  • The Holy Spirit directs our lives toward the mission of Jesus which included seeking and saving the lost. He knows the need and the resources of people and money to meet the need.
  • The Holy Spirit may direct you to do something new.  The church of Antioch was the first to engage in the sending of missionaries. They did not have a pattern as to how to do this or what to expect. The Bible records that they spent more time fasting and praying after the Spirit had spoken. This was possibly for confirmation and getting all their hearts at peace as to the leading of this new venture.
  • The Holy Spirit is creative. He was active in the creation of the world and in the birth of new believers. When He speaks to do something new through your gifts and talents, you are mirroring His character. 

So, write that new song, build that piece of furniture, go on that mission trip, start a blog, hand out gospel tracts or start a ministry to visit homebound saints. The Spirit is hovering over your worship to lead you in a new way as He directs. 

Blessings Love y’all