Sunday, September 7, 2008

I'm Wondering About Worship Today


I wonder about many things. Like, why do we call a penny a penny? Where did that name come from? And, oh, why should we never end a sentence with a preposition? Where did that rule come from? I think I know the answer—some 11th grade English teacher! And, for all of you English teachers, if you don’t know how to spell a word, how in the heck are you going to look it up in a dictionary? That one has always troubled me!

But, today, I’m wondering about worship. Especially, I am thinking about the difference we could make if we prayed for what took place on this special day.

I wonder what would happen if Christ followers would be in such awe of God’s power, authority, love, wisdom, and grace that they truly worshiped Him today. Deuteronomy 10:17, 20 says, “For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes . . . Fear the LORD your God and serve him. Hold fast to him and take your oaths in his name.”

I wonder what would happen if Christ followers would pray that everyone present in worship will know Jesus Christ as Savior and will grow to know Him better and better. 1 Corinthians 2:2 says, “For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.”

I wonder what would happen if Christ followers would pray that the Word of God will be declared with clarity, boldness, love, and power. Ephesians 6:19–20 says, “Pray, also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I’ll fearlessly make known the mysteries of the gospel for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.”

I wonder what would happen if Christ followers would pray that no distractions will keep God’s people from focusing on Him and being fully open to the blessings He wants to bring into their lives. Colossians 4:3 says, “And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.”

I wonder what would happen if Christ followers would pray that all worship leaders—preacher/teacher, instrumentalists, vocalists, sound technicians, ushers, and greeters—will rely on and be used of the Lord. 1 Timothy 2:1–2 says, “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”

And finally, I wonder what would happen if Christ followers would pray that worshipers will apply the biblical truths and principles they hear and be encouraged, uplifted, challenged, and rebuked. James 1:22 says, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”

I pray you will experience these six things today…and every Sunday as you gather for worship!

5 comments:

  1. I pray that for you today Steve and all your readers. I pray each Sunday that hearts will be soft and ready to listen and that I may never speak on my own, that I would step aside and we would see Jesus and Jesus only.

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  2. Thanks Bill for your prayers for us all...

    Oh how key is the prayers of God's children...

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  3. Great thoughts about worship. Thanks for sharing!

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  4. Caeb...thanks for the kind comment and thanks for stopping by...please come back as often as you can!

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  5. I pray that God's people will learn what worship means and that it goes beyond Sunday morning and is not limited to what songs you sing.

    Every second of our waking lives, we are worshiping something or someone.

    When God's people get a right view of who He is - then they will worship in Spirit and Truth and it won't be limited to just Sunday morning.

    Great Post!

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Thank you for sharing your thoughts! I can't wait to read what you have written.