Dance Like David

Spiritual dancing is fairly new to me. Back in the 90s, I attended retreats with Hettie Lou Ministries, where we watched spiritual dancers, but I never thought I could — or should — dance.

While attending a Christian art conference in August 2022, we toured several local art studios. My friend Ruth, who uses contemporary ballet to glorify God, felt led to bless a particular studio gallery and its owner through dance. By the time she finished, the Holy Spirit’s presence had ministered so deeply to our spirits that we were moved to tears. What a powerful anointing we experienced.

After that encounter with the Holy Spirit, I wanted to learn more about spiritual dance.

In 2 Samuel 6:14–22 (NLT), we see King David leaping and dancing before the Lord with all his might. His wife, Michal, was offended and rebuked him sharply. I love David’s response: “I was dancing before the Lord, who chose me above your father and all his family! He appointed me as the leader of Israel, the people of the Lord, so I celebrate before the Lord.”

We also read in Psalm 149:3 (NIV), “Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with timbrel and harp.”

Dancing in the Spirit is a form of worship that brings freedom and joy — a way of praising and connecting with God that honors and glorifies Him as we draw closer to Him. Our bodies are His vessels, and through dance we allow ourselves to interpret the music. It is a process of yielding to the Holy Spirit, flowing with Him when words are no longer enough.

During October 2025, my church opened its doors daily for worship and prayer as we sought God’s wisdom and guidance for a new season that had been unexpectedly placed before us. During these sessions, I often danced before entering into prayer. Now, I am not a ballerina or a leaper, nor do I dance with instruments — but I connected with the Holy Spirit by gently swaying and moving as I yielded to Him.

I encourage you to seek the Holy Spirit through spiritual dance.

Here is some guidance:

First, pray that you’ll have a Holy Spirit encounter and that your dance offering will bless Him. There is no right or wrong way to engage in spiritual dance, so long as it is not driven by the flesh or modeled after secular or performance-based movement. It is not club dancing or moves copied from social media. Rather, it is a surrender in the presence of the Holy Spirit. Each of us will move differently as we connect with Him.

I recommend closing your eyes to minimize distractions, whether you are worshiping alone or in a group. You do not need to see what others are doing — and you do not want to become self-conscious if someone happens to be watching. Focus on the melody, receive it, and allow it to flow in you and through you.

Do not worry about singing — simply feel the rhythm of the music. Begin by gently swaying, and then allow your body to yield to the Spirit.

These are my current playlists. They can all be found on YouTube. I suggest 3 songs at a time:

1.      Holy Spirit Come – Patrick Mayberry

2.      March on to Mount Zion – I needed this Dave

3.      Walk On – Church Friends

1.      Holy Spirit You are Welcome Here – Oasis Worship

2.      It is Done – I Needed This Dave

3.      This is a Move – Brandon Lake

1.      Fresh Wind – Hillsong Worship

2.      Be the Change – I Needed This Dave

3.      The Dove – Kari Jobe

1.      Spirit of the Living God – Vertical Worship

2.      Come Rest on Us – Brandon Lake

3.      My Appeal – Ben Laine

1.      Fall Like Rain – Passion

2.      Fire in My Bones – Fracker

3.      Holy, Holy Spirit – James River Worship

I’d love to hear from you—share your spiritual dance experience in the comments below.