The Quaker apologist Robert Barclay wrote, “Our worship consists neither in words nor in silence in such, but in a holy dependence of the mind upon God. For such dependence, it is necessary to begin with silence until the words can be brought forth which arise from God’s Spirit.” It is in this context, that the following scriptural descriptions of worship, and specifically of the gift of prophesy during worship, are invoked by Friends.
Be still, and know that I am God. Ps 46:10
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength. Is 40:31
God has chosen to make known . . . the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Col 1:27
Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. Jn 15:4
For where two or three have gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them. Mt 18:20
His sheep follow him because they know his voice. Jn 10:3-4
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. Mt 3:11
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. Ro 8:26
Let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire. He 12:28-29
God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and truth. Jn 4:24
I will pour out my Holy Spirit upon all mankind, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy. Ac 2:17
Make love your aim, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. 1 Cor 14:1
What, then, brethren? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation . . . Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. If a revelation is made to another sitting by, let the first be silent. For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged; and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. 1 Cor 14:26, 29-33
Whoever speaks, let him do it as one who utters oracles of God. . . 1 Pe 4:11.
I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power. 1 Cor 2:3-5
Caprock Friends Christian Fellowship
Conservative Quakers in Lubbock, Texas
