Drumming & the Prophetic
The subject of prophetic drumming has an inherent mystery to it, as its source lies in the power of the Holy Spirit. It has only been 5 years since I began exploring its mystery and I am still on the fringes of understanding how it all works. I do not have a comprehensive definition of what it means for a drummer to have a prophetic spirit or how to get it. However, I desire to encourage and cast vision to drummers in the powerful pursuit of gaining a prophetic spirit behind the drums.
The striking of drums and cymbals has the power to change the atmosphere and shift a person either into immorality or into the place of intercession. There is a unique release of power that can only come through drums and cymbals. As a drummer, it is terrifying to consider what emotion you are provoking in those who are listening. I have read that there is much fear within the hearts of those who work in factories and make those large gongs used by Buddhist monks in the temples of the eastern world. They have a healthy fear in even the making of these cymbals, since they know that they are used to release evil spirits. The creative power behind the drums is crafted by God and destined for His glory. As a drummer plays under the anointing and inspiration of the Holy Spirit the atmosphere will change. The Lord loves to use drums and cymbals to release physical and emotional healing, salvation, deliverance and the breaking of strongholds. Asaph set the precedent for this concept in the tabernacle of David. He had much insight into the heart of God to release power through the foolishness of simply hitting a cymbal. The very nature of the instrument can cut through the stale air and move the human heart to engage in battle or to dance for joy.
“Asaph the chief…….Jeiel with stringed instruments and harps, but Asaph made music with cymbals; – 1 ch 16:5
“So he left Asaph and his brothers there before the ark of the covenant of the LORD to minister before the ark regularly, as every day’s work required.” -1 ch 16:37
“…the levites and all those of Asaph…..stood at the east end of the altar, clothed in white linen, having cymbals, stringed instruments and harps, and with them one hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets. Indeed it came to pass, when the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD, and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the LORD, saying: “For He is good, For His mercy endures forever,” that the house, the house of the LORD, was filled with a cloud, so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the LORD filled the house of God.” -2 Ch. 5:12-14
It has been said that the next wave of music to make an impact on the culture won’t be based on a particular sound but rather on authenticity. The reality of what is going on inside of your heart comes through as you play. If your eyes are full of light then your whole body is full of light and therefore light will be released in your playing. Some of the most respected drummers in the world are godless men who have fully given themselves to the evil desires of their heart. They are profoundly cold and wholehearted in their wickedness. You must understand that darkness too can be released though drumming. In the arena of prophetic drumming, I suspect that there is a correlation between the level of surrender to the Lord in a drummer’s heart and the level of authority in the Spirit that they carry in their playing. It is difficult for a lukewarm heart to carry a prophetic Spirit, yet a heart that is kept in the fear of the Lord and authentic in its pursuit of God will inevitably partner with God’s heart while drumming. The spirit of prophecy is often placed in a box. The prophetic does not always equal spontaneous. There is no need to wait for a crazy musical interlude to prophesy, rather you can begin while simply keeping “time” during an arranged worship song. Just ask the Holy Spirit to release His power as you play and try to connect with the fact that with each hit He actually is releasing light.
Likewise, creative does not always equal spontaneous. Of course creativity can be found in spontaneity but it is important not to make them one and the same. Creativity also does not have to equal busy and in turn, the prophetic does not have to equal busy. Less is not always more and more is not always less. I believe that simplicity can often be profoundly creative. With that said I also long for an increase of creativity in spontaneous drum oracles. It is essential to have the discernment to know what and when to play though communion with the Holy Spirit and to press into the prophetic in all forms of rhythms.
Most importantly, I believe humility lies at the very core of this subject. If you are playing drums in the context of a worship team I am convinced that the increase of the prophetic will only come through humility and submission to leadership. I recently found myself becoming preoccupied with being known as an innovative drummer. Then the Lord began speaking very clearly to me about the need to become more concerned with preferring the other musicians on the team and to submit to the preferences of the worship leader. This was a painful struggle within my heart but I eventually gave in and sought the Lord’s wisdom. In the middle of this swirl I heard the Lord say that as I laid down my striving to become creative and instead simply served the team and the prayer room, He would actually send a much greater increase of the prophetic spirit and creative spontaneous flow. The principle of humility lies at the foundation of every subject of the faith. You have to lay down your life in order to find it. You must become poor in spirit and lowly of heart.
As you set sail into the mystery of prophetic drumming and the power which lies behind it, I encourage you to join me in seeking an authentic heart that lives in the fear of the Lord and communion with the Holy Spirit. Ask Him to increase the spirit of prophecy on your playing to break the heavy yoke and to soften many hearts in the love of Christ. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, the spiritual atmosphere will be changed.
