war

... you're right in the middle of it

Likewise Worship
April 08, 2025

Think about the last few Easter Sundays (or Christmas Eve’s). Does this sound familiar: The sickness comes, the conflict arises, the burdens feel heavy, the hills of doubt and discouragement become mountains, etc...? Read on…

In Today’s Email

3 Ways to Battle
You Need a Weekend Off
Lewis on Sabotage

3 Ways to Battle

In the last week or so, the amount of stories we’ve heard of worship leaders in the thick of it is noteworthy. So, first off, if that is you, you are not alone.

Houses flooded. Children intubated. Voices giving out. Abnormal test results. Family members struggling… to very quickly name a few.

So, we wanted to take this last edition of the Healthy Leader before Easter to remind you that you live and minister on a battlefield.

You have an enemy who hates you and hates the advancement of the Gospel. Knowing this, Paul gives us this charge:

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

— Ephesians 6:10-12

And regardless about what you believe about the involvement of the enemy in your own life, on this we can all agree:

that the enemy would love nothing more than to bother you (spiritually and mentally) in the lead up to the weekend that sees the most non-believers come to church.

In light of this, here are three ways to battle for strength as you approach Easter.

1. Be Alert

Weekends like Easter and Christmas come at high speeds. We often process how we are doing after they are over (if we ever even give ourselves the chance).

The first encouragement is to pause and “look around.” How are you? What are you feeling? Is there something that is weighing on your soul?

If you were the enemy, how would you take yourself out over the next two weeks?

For some of you, the answer to this is easy because the burden is in plain sight. It’s on your doorstep.

But for many, we never recognize it. It comes and goes as an underlying tension that distracts us and never goes addressed.

So, take 10 minutes to ask the question above.

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

— 1 Peter 5:8

2. Pray

It is here that we exchange our control for His power.

To truly bring your burdens to God requires you to relinquish control over them.

To pause “progress” for prayer is to exchange your stick for a sword in the heat of battle.

Pray for:
- Protection for you, your family, your church
- Peace for you
- Fruit from the services

Pray with others. Let others lift you up and war with you in this way.

P.S. - we have an amazing prayer team at Likewise who actually pray daily for what is sent in. We would love to be praying for you.

If there is anything we can pray for, email [email protected]!

Prayer is the forerunner of mercy. Prayer is the great engine that moves the wheels of the divine government. When you are fighting the enemy, it is not by might nor by power, but by the Spirit of God, through earnest prayer.

— Charles Spurgeon

3. Link Arms

We know that it is crunch time.

However, get some other local leaders together for lunch before Easter. Share with each other. Pray with each other.

Here’s why:
1. You remember that you are not alone in the planning and prep. Others feel it too.

2. You will be processing and talking with people who actually understand what the season is like.

3. It promotes unity. Nothing unifies like being on a common mission together. You aren’t competing churches. You’re complimentary expressions of an ancient faith.

Link arms together.

You Need a Weekend Off

So make sure you take one off with your spouse in September and join us at RETREAT!

September 22-25, 2025
Forest Falls, CA

Registrations are starting to pick up - we had our highest weekly registration count this past week! Don’t miss a chance to reserve your spot!

More info / registration

And please make sure you take quite a few more weekends off before retreat as well 😉

Lewis on Sabotage

"Enemy-occupied territory—that is what this world is. Christianity is the story of how the rightful king has landed, you might say, landed in disguise, and is calling us to take part in a great campaign of sabotage."

— C.S. Lewis

Join our community!

Gatherings - Looking to connect with other leaders? Come to our free monthly hangs with local leaders in select US cities or join us quarterly online!
One on One - Looking to process your ministry, your faith, or your challenges with a third-party you can trust? Set up a meeting with a member of our team.
Vocal Coaching - Feeling stuck or discouraged vocally? We offer professional in-house voice coaching specifically to worship leaders. Best part? We raise funds so we can give you a BIG discount. Schedule a consultation with our team!