If you’re leading worship as an adult, chances are, you were once that “kid” in youth group who was handed a chord book of worship songs and shoved on stage by a parent or leader to “lead worship!” I know I was and I’m thankful for it! We all know amid being formidable as a teenager, learning to lead people in worship is also a process. In a brief list, I want to submit how and what we can pray for for those who are learning how to serve the Church and how to ultimately render appropriate worship to God. These are just a few I know were prayed over me!
Pray for knowledge of Christ.
1 John 2:20 affirms the anointing of God in the knowing of God and Christ. We know that student ministry is a forming tool for discipleship and learning one’s role in the broader context of spiritual gifts. However, it begins with saving knowledge of Christ before gifting and purpose. Sometimes we let this one slide, but we do the young person a soulful disservice. Pleasing worship comes through Christ, pray they know Christ!
Pray for holiness and purity.
I have consistently seen those called to worship ministry undergo failure because they wouldn’t guard their hearts and bodies. The Psalmist says God blesses the righteous with favor (Ps. 5). Learning how to worship at the heart level will sustain anyone serious about worship ministry. We all feel the world’s pull to give into sin. Pray they seek sexual purity.
Pray they take preaching seriously.
If a student grows up on stages, they often think of the preaching and teaching of God’s word as something faintly audible from the green room or lobby and of lesser necessity for spiritual formation. I’ll leave it there.
Pray for godly older friendships.
One of the greatest thing to happen to your young worshipper is that they build a relationship with a mentor.
Pray for humility.
Being on a stage, displaying transparency and exaltation is important, but here I’m implying approachability. Your young worship leader is a servant and I wish someone would have told me that sooner! Pray that the servanthood of Jesus would be formed in them!
Pray for boldness.
God’s functional gifts are a measure of faith given (Romans 12). Exercising in those gifts aren’t always approached in confidence. Pray that as they understand the gift given that they also propel with dependence that God’s Spirit will do the work in them.
Pray for contentment.
Godliness with contentment is great gain! (1 Tim 6) I’ve seen a generation of young worship leaders and musicians who equate greatness with platforms, materials, and recognition. Pray that there’s a great clarity to trust God with their gifts. If they go on to study music or be a painter and church volunteer, greatness is according to God’s purposes at work in them!
Pray for understanding of worship and performance.
Today’s worship has become dominated by production and performance. Encourage, teach, and pray toward true exaltation of God. Ask them if they know the difference. Pray they evaluate their service in whether the mission of God was accomplished through their gift!
