The practice of Worship happens when we intentionally cherish God and value God above all else in life.
“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” Revelation 4:11
“Worship the Lord and serve Him only.” Matthew 4:10
Ways to Practice
- Valuing God above all else, putting God first in our lives.
- Ask God, over and over every day, ‘What would you like for me to do/think here & now?’ and then do your best to obey, with God’s help.
- Use Psalms, singing, dancing, rejoicing, musical instruments to declare the wonders of God. Bring emotions, thoughts, gut feelings and body into praising God.
- Attend a church other than your own that practices a different style of worship. Do you experience anything new of God in this tradition?
- When distractions happen during church services, absorb them with gratitude, rather than as deterrence from worship.
- Cultivate holy expectancy about what God might do during gathered worship but preparing yourself ahead of time to give and receive all God may offer (get enough sleep, have a time of inward examination/confession, get up in time so you aren’t rushing to service, let go of inner distractions…)
What results might we expect?
- Daily obedience to God in the everyday invitations God offers.
- Meeting God and bringing God pleasure.
- Focusing on God so we can taste more of God’s goodness and worthiness.
- A sense of connection and community with those with whom we worship, as well as the saints in heaven.
“Worship has been misunderstood as something that arises from a feeling which ‘comes upon you,’ but it is vital that we understand that it is rooted in a conscious act of the will, to serve and obey the Lord Jesus Christ.”—Graham Kendrick
“You never go away from us, yet we have difficulty in returning to You. Come, Lord, stir us up and call us back. Kindle and seize us. Be our fire and our sweetness. Let us love. Let us run.”—Augustine of Hippo
For more exploration of worship:
https://www.leadershiptransformations.org/documents/2014.11.Silencio.%20A%20Life%20of%20Worship.pdf