Thinking About Worship

“For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.” Hosea 6:6 (ESV)

God prefers a continual way of life that honors Him rather than a sacrifice. Of course, worship is more than singing some songs on Sunday morning. Whether it is personal worship or community worship, He wants to be the center of a lifestyle that is pleasing to Him. Our daily (steadfast) devotions and praises keep us more focused on Jesus and His ways and less on ourselves and our way of doing things.  

There are so many types of worship. Some of the most common are:

PERSONAL & PRIVATE WORSHIP

Prayer…  Believers have been praying for thousands of years. Our connection to the Lord is dependent on a consistent commitment to pray.

Meditation… Psalm 1:1a-2 explains, “Blessed is the one… whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.” Meditation leads to awareness of God’s power and glory, thus, resulting in reverence, praise, and worship. 

Song… Music does not have to be sophisticated or complex. John 4:24, “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” We can offer Jesus our own songs in the privacy of our homes or wherever.  

PUBLIC WORSHIP

Church… Worship at the beginning of a church service is common and placed there for a good reason. This is a time when we can take the attention off our lives and day-to-day challenges and show our gratitude to God for His faithful love and mercy.

SOME OTHER TYPES OF WORSHIP

• Giving financially
• Giving of talents
• Raising of hands
• Bowing
• Dancing
• Serving others
• Expression through art

How do you worship? How often? Are some of these types of worship new to you?

Lord, I pray that all of us will maintain a healthy active worship life in honoring You with our thoughts and deeds each day. That we will remember and be thankful for those moments when You were there for us to help and guide us through life’s toughest circumstances.

Worshipping You who gave Your life as a Living Sacrifice for our sins, Thank you, Jesus. Thank you. Amen