(Arlington, TX) The sermon was titled “When Prayer Changes the Verdict.” And for the people of World Healing Church, a verdict from heaven concerning the preacher of the message was about to be announced. Some messages are lived, and some are experienced. For Ronnie Lampkin, a staff minister and young adult director at World Healing Church, that sermon was a prophetic declaration over his own life, as much as it was anyone else’s in the room on Sunday, July 5th.

Men and women of God often profess that the Word they preach speaks to them first, before it speaks to the people. Often said to soften the sting of conviction when the Word of the Lord is edifying by correction, it is a deeper spiritual reality than most realize.

The sermon began, as would be expected. The senior leaders and clergy were honored. The formalities of preaching were observed. The text, Isaiah 38:1-5, was presented and read. But very quickly, the service took a turn. “The subject is,” Minister Lampkin said after the reading of the scripture, “when prayer changes the verdict. Look at somebody else that really believes what you’re saying, and say, ‘Neighbor, when prayer changes the verdict.’ And look at somebody else behind you and say, ‘Neighbor, your verdict has just been changed.’”

The weight of the proclamation of the title of the sermon hit the room like fire, and the chords of high praise began to be played by the musicians. People were shouting, running, jumping — personal prophecy hit the room. As a click track of the chorus, “Not much longer now; things are about to shift quickly,” rang out, Minister Lampkin likely had no idea it was the Holy Spirit speaking directly to him.

Nearly twenty minutes after the scripture had been read, the sermon had still not progressed past the title. Finally, in an attempt to pivot back to the preaching, the question was posed, “What do you do? What can you do when the Holy Ghost just hijacks you?” Followed by the directive, “Please be seated if you can.”

But there are times in corporate worship when praise in an atmosphere can feel like a dam breaking. There is a push that bursts through protocols. It is a weight and wave where the waters of the Spirit of the Lord flow where they would and not where the helmsman is endeavoring to steer the ship of the service. So, on that Sunday, although the assembly obliged the instruction to sit, several loud, lingering cries of praise rose from the congregation. As they did, a wave of the Spirit of the Lord washed in refreshing newness.

But there are times in corporate worship when praise in an atmosphere can feel like a dam breaking. There is a push that bursts through protocols. It is a weight and wave where the waters of the Spirit of the Lord flow where they would and not where the helmsman is endeavoring to steer the ship of the service. So, on that Sunday, although the assembly obliged the instruction to sit, several loud, lingering cries of praise rose from the congregation. As they did, a wave of the Spirit of the Lord washed in refreshing newness.

On the platform, the man of God paced back and forth, not speaking into the microphone, but instead holding it by both ends and praying in the Spirit. Above the crowd, the tongues of our senior leader, Apostle Ed Citronnelli, could be heard as he rocked in his chair, praying in the Spirit.

Minister Lampkin was overwhelmed by the weight of the Presence of the Lord. Behind the pulpit, he crouched on all fours, arrested by the Presence that had swept through the room.

The congregation was just as enveloped. Some went to the altar, and many prayed in their seats. The room was waiting on the Lord, and soon enough, the Lord responded. A prophetic declaration came forward from the assembly, “You’ve leveled up. You’ve leveled up.” What followed was a sovereign sign of God’s affirmation of his servant, but also a telling revelation of the depth of crushing and humility that the Lord requires of those who feed His sheep.

This is the beauty of being connected to the Body of Christ via the local church. We are “joined and knit together by what every joint supplies.” (Ephesians 4:16) It is this mutuality of supplying, by way of using the gifts that God has given each of us, that can set a church alive apart from a church in complacency. In 1 Peter 4, we are instructed to have fervent love for one another above all things and to minister the gift we have each received to one another “as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” (1 Peter 4:8-10)

Over the last two months, the people of World Healing Church have been making a conscious effort to do exactly that. No longer is Sunday morning about coming to the table and desiring to be the one who is given the biggest portion. Instead, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, you will find the congregation setting the table of the Presence of the Lord through prayer. In corporate gatherings, you will hear the bold proclamation of words of prophecy, wisdom, and knowledge coming through the mouths of vessels who are not positioned on the platform. Just like sheep in the natural yield their wool to the benefit of the shepherd, edification, exhortation, and comfort have been flowing from the bellies of the laity to undergird the leadership—a divine privilege to witness. When heaven makes an announcement, it is an honor to be there to receive it.

Whether you were in the room or not, this service is worth revisiting. It is the Word of the Lord to the people of God. Don’t only relive the moment, re-connect your faith. Prayer does change verdicts, and when the man of God arose from the floor that Sunday, he did so vested with the power of the Holy Spirit. The prophetic momentum of the morning gave way to a high-impact message that positioned hearers to step into lasting liberation from the cares of their lives. Ruminating on the details of King Hezekiah’s illness and recovery, Minister Lampkin presented a loaded and practical sermon that made a case for the eternal power of going back to the basics of living according to the Word and praying like our lives depend on it—because they do.