In Myanmar I was the team worship leader and what that looks like is finding new ways to worship other than singing. With the guidance of Will and Malia, who chose the people for each team, each month. They led us so well, in stepping into leadership for that month and with encouragement. They have inspired me into digging deeper into what worship is. In my searching, I found that the first time worship is ever mentioned in the Bible is in Genesis. Worship was not talked about as singing a song but instead, sacrificing as a form of worship.
Genesis 22:5
He said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.”
My team and I have had worship look like sitting in silence while under the stars to just talk with the Father. Doing prophetic mediation which looked like God writing us a love letter and worshiping through prayer. There are many different ways to worship, one of my favorite ways is singing, but I know now that’s not the only way. There are 8 different Hebrew words used to describe praise and worship.
- Hallah- To boast, brag, or rave about God even to the point of appearing foolish. Psalm 63:3-4
- Yadah- Giving thanks, cry of help, need a victory from the Lord. Psalm 43:1-5 and psalm 134:2
- Barak- Privilege of blessing the Lord. Psalm 72:15
- Zamar- Pluck the strings of an instrument. Psalm 18:1-3
- Tehillah- To sing. Psalm 22:3
- Shabach- To shout. Daniel 2:20
- Todah- Gratitude for God’s promise. Praise is having faith and assurance that is well even before the victory actually comes. Psalm 56:1-12
- Hallelujah- Hallel- To boast or brag Jah- Name for God Fun fact: Hallelujah is used 24 times between psalm 104-150 in the Old Testament and used four 4 times in the New Testament in Revelation 19:1-7
It was an honor to be the worship leader in Myanmar to grow in intimacy with the Lord and boldness in leading.
