Christian Praise Dance Today

Praise dancers across the nations are worshipping God with spirit, soul and body each and every day.

As the Scriptures say so clearly:

“Let them praise His name in the dance
let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.”
Psalm 149:3

and:

“From the rising of the sun to its going down, the LORD’S name is to be praised.”
Psalm 113:3

Is Praise Dance Different From Other Forms of Dance?

But what makes praise dance different from any other form of dance?

Firstly, and most importantly, is the altar that praise dance and worship dance is placed upon. No longer upon the altar of entertainment, or self-gratification – but upon the altar of holy worship unto God. The Christian praise dancer’s skill is sanctified on the altar of praise and worship to the Living God, and the skill, training and gifting of the praise dancer is made Holy by the One to whom it is offered.

The Praise Dancer

A praise dancer will surely develop their discipline, gift and skill, and there are many fine resources to help them do this, but moment by moment they are aware that skill alone is not enough to please their heavenly Father and open the gateways to the supernatural. Great skill may wow earthly crowds, but there is an ever present Audience of One to whom we minister at all times in the Spirit.

This alone sets apart Christian praise dance, and dance and movement in Christian worship, as something very special.

When worship and movement flow from the heart of the Christian praise dancer, the living waters of God’s eternal Spirit flow from the inner man, clothing the momentary movement with heaven’s eternal fragrance and flavor. In this way praise dance can be used to powerfully connect others with the heavenly realm, and open doorways of revelation that have the ability to bring individuals in contact with Jesus Christ and His eternal Spirit.

From the place of open hearted, abandoned worship, unfettered by self consciousness and free from concern what others might think, the river of the anointing flows on the wings of the praise dance, enduing the gift with with a power and significance far beyond mere natural ability.

The praise dancer is is able to reach beyond the natural, step into the supernatural, and bring the same heavenly fragrance to earth through their anointed movement.

As a praise dancer in contemporary liturgical worship one should always remember that as such, especially when we engage in Christian dance ministry and the wonder of praise and worship dance in the church and beyond its walls, we do so as the temple of the Holy Spirit:

“Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” 1Corinthians 3:16

We are instructed as believers, and especially as those who minister to the Lord and to others in praise dance and Christian worship dance, to offer our bodies to God in consecration – which is our act of reasonable worship.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God,
that you present your bodies a living sacrifice,
holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service (and act of worship).”
Romans 12:1

Praise dance is a perfect example (though of course not the only one) of such an offering.

The same portion of Scripture continues to tell us not to be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our mind – proving and demonstrating the perfect will of God in our bodies, our soul and our spirit.

Praise dance, and Christian expressions of praise and worship in movement and dance, are not mere religious reflections of the world and its prevailing attitudes and cultural norms, it is intended to be rather a reflection of the joys and the liberties we enjoy as heavenly citizens of another world – one that will endure throughout the ages.

Just as one might shout, scream and dance wildly if we discovered that we had just won a million dollars, so let our revelation of God inspire us to new heights and expressions of worship. Let praise dance become part of your Christian worship, and encourage others as they seek to let our wonderful Heavenly Father know just how thankful we are for the great riches He has bestowed upon us in Christ.