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Silent Waiting Worship
An Explanation and an Invitation |
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As Friends and Christians, we believe that wherever two or more of us are gathered together in the name of Jesus, He is truly present among us (John 15;15; Matthew 18:20). It is with this expectation that we come together in reverent silence before the Lord, to enter into His Presence, and wait upon the outpouring of His Spirit (Joel 2:28). we do not presume to pray, sing, or speak in our own strength; rather, we wait until all creaturely activity is stilled, so that we may be able to hear the Word of God speak to our hearts, and lead us into a deeper communion with Himself (Psalms 46:10; John 1:1; 4:23, 24). We leave behind all personal agendas, worldly concerns, and any preconceptions of how the Lord may make use of the time set aside, seeking only to discern what the True Shepherd would have us say or do to His honor and glory (John 10:3; 15:14; I Peter 4:10, 11; I Corinthians 12:8, 9). The hour of worship is His to “program” as He sees fit, and our only task is to respond in obedience to His leadings, whether it be by praise, spoken ministry, or prayer. Not all of us are called to outward acts of vocal praise, ministry, or prayer, but such may contribute to the worship by upholding the meeting in silent prayer, or by singing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, making melody in our heart to the Lord (Ephesians 5:19). Since Jesus Christ is the Unseen Head of the Church, and it is He who gathers us into Himself (Luke 12:34), we do not appoint any human intermediary to lead or direct our worship, Christ Himself being our High Priest forever, after the order of Mechisedec (Hebrews 6:20). Jesus may at times minister to the whole gathering directly and inwardly without a word being uttered, bringing a sense of peace and reconciliation which is recognized by all as an indication of His covering Presence (John 14:27; Psalms 32:1). At other times someone may be given words of ministry to speak to the whole meeting, and we believe it is essential that the person who is called to do this is obedient in delivering the message that God has given him, despite his quite natural feelings of shyness or unworthiness (Isaiah 6:5-9). For what God asks us to do, He also strengthens us in, and makes us able to do it (Mark 13:11) if we only wait upon Him (Isaiah 40:31). As all true Gospel ministry is given by the direct prompting of the Holy Spirit (John 14:26), anyone present may be used as God’s anointed instrument, provided he is obedient to His leading. The Lord also expects us to prepare our own hearts and minds to receive the rightly spoken word (Jeremiah 4:3), and if we listen with a tender and contrite spirit, our spiritual ear will discern the Truth as it is in Jesus; thus we may be richly nourished by a few, well-seasoned words (Colossians 4:6). Though Friends are encouraged to be punctual in arriving for the meeting, we occasionally find that our worship extends beyond the allotted hour. This may be because a Friend has risen to speak toward the latter part of the meeting, or because it is evident to all that the meeting is not yet over, and the Holy Spirit’s work is not to be interrupted. When two discerning Friends (usually the clerk and an elder or minister) sense that all hearts are free, they rise and shake hands. This is an indication that the meeting is over, and all those present greet one another with a handshake. Visitors are welcomed, and opportunity is taken for a time of warm Christian fellowship. Dear Reader, please feel free to come to the meeting, and share this blessed time. Meanwhile, in the love of Christ, farewell. - Graham Baunton
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