Entering the Secret Place: How to Worship in Spirit and Truth

Entering the Secret Place 

I remember standing in the back of a sanctuary once, watching the lights dim and the fog machine start to puff out little clouds of atmosphere. The band was tight—I mean, they had the professional "shimmer" down to a science. The chords were right, the lyrics were theological enough, and everybody was clapping along. But as I stood there, I felt this strange, heavy grieving in my spirit. It wasn't that the music was bad; it was that the Holy Spirit had actually showed up in the room, but He was being largely ignored. He was standing in the aisle, so to speak, ready to heal and deliver, but the program was so rigid that there was no room for Him to move. People thought they were at a concert, looking for entertainment, while the Treasure of Heaven was right there under their noses, untapped.

Maybe you’ve felt that same void. You go through the motions, you sing the songs, but your heart feels like it’s banging against a brass ceiling. You’re thirsty for something real, something that actually changes the atmosphere of your life, yet you find yourself stuck in a carnal routine. You’re craving that intimate fellowship with the Father, but the "Ring of Fire"—that noisy, demanding flesh of ours—keeps you from crossing the threshold into the supernatural.

The pain point is clear: we are a generation that knows how to "do" church, but we’ve forgotten how to truly worship. We have the form of godliness but often lack the power thereof. We are like people walking over a gold mine, completely unaware of the pipelines of glory running right beneath our feet.

But there is a solution. Jesus told us exactly what the Father is looking for. He isn't looking for better sound systems or more talented vocalists; He is seeking "true worshipers" who will worship Him in spirit and in truth. In this post, I want to share with you what I've learned over decades of leading worship and seeking the face of God. We’re going to talk about digging deeper, tapping into those spiritual pipelines, and moving from the "fake" to the "real" so that we can finally see the church rise as the exceedingly great army it was meant to be.

When we talk about worship, we have to start with the fundamental reality of who God is. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth (John 4:24 KJV). Think about that for a second. If God is Spirit, then carnal tools alone can never reach Him. You can’t reach a spiritual Being solely through physical vibrations or emotional hype. There has to be a "yoking up" of our spirit with His Spirit.

I often think of faith as the substance that bridges these two worlds. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him (Hebrews 11:6 KJV). Faith isn't just a mental "yes" to a doctrine; it is the evidence of things not seen. It’s the shovel we use to dig into those underground pipelines I mentioned. When we worship, we are tapping into a treasure that the world can't see, but our spirit knows is there.

The Battle with the Flesh

Every time I grab my guitar to spend time with the Lord, a war breaks out. You wouldn't believe the distractions that fly into my mind the second I decide to seek His face. I'll get a "revelation" and think, "Oh, I need to go tweet that right now!" or "Man, I should post that on Facebook." It sounds spiritual, but it's often just the flesh trying to sidestep the intimacy.

It’s just like fasting. When you fast, your flesh starts screaming. It says, "Give me food! Feed me!" You’ve made a vow to the Lord for three days, and your body spends the whole time arguing with your spirit. Worship is the same way. The flesh is prideful; it wants to be seen, it wants to be entertained, and it wants to stay in control. But to get to the throne, you have to pass through that "Ring of Fire." You have to quell the arguments of the flesh and say, "No, I am seeking God in truth, not for what I can get out of it for my social media following, but because He is worthy."

The Scene in the Counselor's Room

I learned a lot about this sensitivity through a season of "prophetic mentoring." Years ago, I was going through a very dark, difficult time. I found myself in a room with a Christian counselor who was incredibly sensitive to the prophetic. I wasn't there for a "word"; I was just there because I was hurting.

As we sat there, he would just move his hand through the air, almost like he was feeling the temperature of the room. Suddenly, it looked like cigarette smoke began to swirl in the air between us. It was the Shekinah glory of God. He began to prophesy with such accuracy and weight that I realized I had been walking around completely blind. I was like Jacob, who woke up and said, Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not (Genesis 28:16 KJV).

That experience changed me. It made me realize that the presence of God is often "there to heal," but our unbelief or our carnal focus acts as a shield. We see this in the Gospels. In one place, it says the power of the Lord was present to heal (Luke 5:17 KJV), yet in another, Jesus could do no mighty works because of their unbelief. The atmosphere of faith is what allows the Spirit to manifest. If we are just "playing church," we miss the healing that is literally hanging in the air.

The Great Purge: Burning the Idols

If we want to worship in truth, we have to talk about the things that block the pipeline. As a man who plays guitar, I've always been sensitive to the power of music. But before I could truly "dig deeper" into spiritual worship, I had to deal with the "secular baggage" in my life.

I remember back in Houston, I had some prophetic mentors who told me, "Conrad, you’ve got to get out of that heavy metal stuff." Now, at the time, I argued. I said, "Man, Christian music isn't even good! I want to listen to something with some talent!" This was back before we had the variety we have now. But I decided to "borrow their faith." I couldn't make a perfect scriptural case yet, but I saw the "Mark 16 signs" following their lives—they had the fruit, so I listened.

I took all my secular CDs and books out to a spot outside the city. I didn't just throw them in the trash; I burned them. Like the believers in the book of Acts who brought their "curious arts" and burned them before all men, I started a fire.

As those CDs began to melt and the smoke rose, something supernatural happened. I saw these black fowl-like shapes, like spiritual "blackbirds," swirling up out of the fire. My head started spinning. I felt like I was physically losing weight—I tell people I lost "50 pounds in the spirit" that day. These were the "fowls of the air" that Jesus spoke about in the parable of the sower: Then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart (Matthew 13:19 KJV).

Those secular songs were demons that were sitting on my heart, stealing the Word before it could take root. Once they were gone, my mind cleared. I could think. I could hear. My worship went from being a carnal struggle to a spiritual flight. You cannot sing "Highway to Hell" all week and then expect to "Ascend the Hill of the Lord" on Sunday morning without a major conflict.

Personal Reflections

Looking back, I realize how much I didn't know. I used to think worship was about the "order of service" or having the right bridge in a song. The Lord had to mentor me into the reality that He is the only audience. I’ve had to learn to put down the "recording" mindset. I used to want to capture everything for an Instagram live, but now I realize that true intimacy often happens when the cameras are off.

I’ve missed it plenty of times. I’ve been that worship leader who was more concerned with the guitar tone than the Spirit's tone. But Jesus is so patient. He keeps saying, "Learn of me; take my yoke upon you." When we yoke up with Him, we aren't pulling the load alone. He guides us into the truth.

One of the biggest corrections He gave me was about "Circle Worship." I grew up with the "platform" model—the "rock star" on the stage and the "audience" in the pews. But the Lord showed me that in the Tabernacle of Moses, the tribes camped around the presence. In Revelation, the elders and the multitudes are around the throne. There’s something powerful about getting in a circle in a living room, without a prepared setlist, and just singing "spirit songs." I’ll just play two or three chords and begin to rehearse His promises. We get our "feet wet" like the priests at the Jordan, and suddenly, the whole room is in the Promised Land.

Biblical References

We must understand that worship is a legal prescription in the spirit. When David tried to move the Ark of the Covenant on a "new cart," people died. Uzza reached out to steady the Ark because the oxen shook it, and the anger of the Lord was kindled (2 Samuel 6 KJV). Uzza had good intentions, but he didn't follow the prescription. The Ark was meant to be carried on the shoulders of the priests using poles.

Today, we try to move the presence of God on "new carts"—marketing, entertainment, and light shows. But God's presence is still meant to be carried on the shoulders of a consecrated priesthood. We have to do it His way if we want His results.

This leads us to the prophetic promise for our time. We are often like the valley of dry bones in Ezekiel 37. We are scattered, we are backbiting, and we are "dead" in our routines. But the Lord said: Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live (Ezekiel 37:9 KJV).

Interestingly enough, I live in a camper called the "Four Winds." It’s a literal reminder to me every day that we need the Breath of God to blow on the church. When that Spirit-breath enters us, we don't just become a "nicer congregation"—we stand up as an "exceeding great army." That is the end result of true worship: a united, empowered army that brings the Kingdom of Heaven to earth.

Key Takeaways

• Worship is Spiritual: Since God is Spirit, we must engage Him through our spirit and faith, not just our emotions or intellect.
• The Flesh is the Barrier: You must be willing to push through the "Ring of Fire"—distractions, pride, and carnal desires—to reach the throne.
• Purge the Idols: What you listen to and entertain yourself with matters. Secular influences can act as "fowls of the air" that steal the Word from your heart.
• Sensitivity is a Skill: We must be mentored and practiced in recognizing the Holy Spirit's presence so we don't ignore Him when He shows up to heal.
• The Goal is Unity: True worship leads to the "exceeding great army" of Ezekiel 37, fulfilling Jesus' prayer that we would be one.

Conclusion and Call to Action

The world is watching a "dead" church right now, fighting over flags and politics, and they aren't impressed. They don't need more entertainment; they need to see the power of the living God. That power is found in the secret place of worship. It’s found when we stop kidding ourselves, stop "faking it" under the lights, and start seeking His face in truth.

I want to encourage you to dig deeper today. If you’ve been feeling dry, maybe it’s time to look at what "idols" might be sitting on your heart. Maybe it's time to put down the "new cart" and get back to the biblical prescription for seeking His presence.

If this message challenged you, I'd love to hear about it. Dig deeper into these concepts by checking out my books, OPEN YOUR EYES MY SUPERNATURAL JOURNEY and Overcoming Night Terror, where I talk extensively about the supernatural realm and the battle for our spiritual sight.

Please share this post with someone who needs a "breath of life" in their spiritual walk. Let’s stop being scattered bones and start being the army God called us to be.

Until we meet again, dig deeper and go higher!

Action Items

• Audit Your Atmosphere: Take an honest look at your music playlists and entertainment. If it doesn't lead you toward the Spirit, consider a "purge" to clear your spiritual pipelines.
• Practice Thanksgiving: Spend the first 15 minutes of your prayer time solely on "Entering His Gates with Thanksgiving." Don't ask for anything; just thank Him for what He's already done.
• Start a Worship Circle: Invite two or three believers over. Forget the "performance." Just get in a circle, play some simple chords, and speak/sing the promises of God over each other.
• Study the Tabernacle: Read through the descriptions of the Tabernacle in Exodus and 2 Samuel 6. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you the "prescriptions" for His presence that we may be ignoring today.
• Pray Ezekiel 37:9: Every morning this week, ask the Holy Spirit to "blow from the four winds" upon your life and your local church.