Rockin' Intercessory Worship

[Royal Tele]

I'm a co-founder and worship leader for a start-up church in Dallas, TX. One of the things we try to enter into each time we gather as a body is intercesory worship (mostly spontaneous music with a specified prayer focus/focuses and spontaneous singing intertwined). I usually switch from my acoustic to my Tele in this portion of worship and we tend to gravitate toward some pretty rockin' and edgy music (often in minor keys, too). I was just curous if anyone else here has experience in that, and I would love to hear about other approaches (musically) or pointers that are helpful in engaging everyone to enter into the spirit of intercession in the moment.

[livinblood]

We do this a lot in youth services. Actually we have about 2 services a month geared toward just this. It is so awesome and powerful. We start off by playing some repeating, improvised licks in the background as they open the service to prayer. Prayer begins and we either continue with the improv or switch to a worship song we can modulate from. The rest is the spirit flowing. I love it because it is pure worship to God.

[GtrMan]

I'm a guitar player at my church, and something we've done a lot of lately is find a couple of great songs and intertwine them. Last Sunday, we did the songs Came to My Rescue by Hillsong and the song Healer. We switched to the bridge of Healer mid song and ended with the the chorus to came to my rescue, it was awesome! Great time of Worship and Praise!!

[lostinphase]

Guys, do yourselves a favor and get to know some of the brothers in the black churches (yeah I'm white). Not only will you will find freedom in playing, but playing with some great overlooked musicians. I've been to or played with a number of these churches and these guys can play circles around the people I've played with, including the largest church in the state. It's too bad there is such a divide in the white/black churches, but I'd like to see the gap closed or at least narrowed. Once you've played with them, you wouldn't find it so odd to play openly and in the flow. Just about everyone I play with at the suburban churches have no idea what they are missing. Just don't go there and expect to strum some cowboy chords. -In the spirit of unison.

[1962guitargeek]

Originally Posted by lostinphase

Guys, do yourselves a favor and get to know some of the brothers in the black churches (yeah I'm white). Not only will you will find freedom in playing, but playing with some great overlooked musicians. I've been to or played with a number of these churches and these guys can play circles around the people I've played with, including the largest church in the state. It's too bad there is such a divide in the white/black churches, but I'd like to see the gap closed or at least narrowed. Once you've played with them, you wouldn't find it so odd to play openly and in the flow. Just about everyone I play with at the suburban churches have no idea what they are missing. Just don't go there and expect to strum some cowboy chords. -In the spirit of unison.

+1

My daughter and son in law are the only two white people in their Church! In Mississippi of all places!

Great people there, and the P & W was just awesome. We went down for their wedding, the folks treated us like family. Lots of hugging, singing, food, praying, more food, just an incredible amount of love...I miss them!

[norumba]

in the true respectful spirit of interfaith dialogue, i've been lucky to have partaken in a number of Sufi dhikrs; similar approach and concept. submitting to the Lord by remembering Him through sound is an awesome experience!