There seems to be trend of leaders, particularly worship leaders, who want to avoid songs and prayers that ask God to “come” and instead focus on the indwelling presence of God – Emmanuel, God with us. I think this is an unbiblical overreaction. For Christians, God IS with us. He is in us. Christ is in us, the hope of glory. We are temples of the Holy Spirit. This is a true and amazing revelation. We need this awareness. God doesn’t come and go. We can access His presence and commune with Him anywhere and at any time. Wow!
But to think that we are currently experiencing or walking in the fullness of all God has for us is dishonest. And my concern is that the “I’ve already got it” mindset steals the opportunity for the body of Christ to experience the ache and hunger of desire for more of God, as well as the glorious fulfillment of that hunger as God responds to our cries with an outpouring of His Spirit. My point is… THERE IS MORE. And asking God for more is not only appropriate, but it is right and biblical. Historic revival and moves of God were birthed when God’s people became HUNGRY for more of God. They became discontent with what they were currently experiencing. The idea that “I am revival” or “revival is in me” is not the truth that has awakened hearts and sparked nation-shaking Jesus movements. It was a longing for “fullness of God” that was not yet fully manifest (Eph 3:19).
We live in a tension of the kingdom of God that is here but also coming. So we must embrace that tension. God is with us, but He is not fully with us (and we are usually not fully “with him”). When God “shows up” or “walks in the room” is it God “coming (since He is already with us) or is it us “showing up” to the reality of His presence? I believe it’s actually both, but ultimately I don’t think it matters. Whatever happens when God “shows up” is what we want, right!? So crying out to God…. “come, Lord Jesus”, “pour out Your Spirit”, “we want more of you”, “come and fill this place”, etc. are GOOD songs and GOOD prayers that express a desire for God. KEEP SINGING THESE SONGS AND PRAYING THESE PRAYERS!
I think Bryan and Katie Torwalt’s song “Holy Spirit” does a great job living in this tension. It says “come flood this place and fill the atmosphere” but also says “let us become more aware of Your presence.” It’s not just one of these prayers that we should be prayer. It’s both. We want to be aware of what we already have in Christ, but we also want to desire and cry out for the fullness of what Christ has died for but that we aren’t actually experiencing yet in our lives, our cities and our nations.
Some Bible to back up my points here…. Jesus seemed fine to live in this tension of what is here now but also coming. A few examples…
But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth. John 4:23
Indeed, Elijah is coming first and will restore all things. But I say to you that Elijah has come already… Matthew 17:11-12
So biblically, there are things that are “here” but are also “coming”. God’s kingdom and His presence are like that. We have a measure of those things on the earth, but there is more coming!
There are also numerous Scriptures imploring us to ASK God for more. Luke 11:9-10,13 is a great example…
So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened….. If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”
Not only is asking for more of His Spirit theologically accurate, it is actually commanded by Jesus!! In fact, one of the final verses in the Bible is the Church/Bride saying, in unison with the Holy Spirit, “Come!” (Revelation 22:17). So let’s keep asking, keep seeking and keep knocking. Don’t stop singing the songs or praying the prayers that cry out for more. Get and stay hungry for more of God!
P.S. Do some fasting, too. It helps cultivate hunger for God.