5 Steps to Thriving in Worship
[This is part of the Experiencing Remarkable Worship devotional series]
The word “steps” in the title may have caused you to pause. God is God. He’s not a formula or a machine that runs as programmed. I can’t put Him in a box. However, a profusion of factors can either help or hinder our times of worship. We need to always be thriving in worship!
Have you ever assessed a time of worship in church (or somewhere) and thought it was boring? Not exciting? Unfulfilling?
It doesn’t have to be that way!
I’ve experienced God’s face during times of worship; words fail to describe. I’ve also experienced His hand. He has spoken to my heart, given revelation, changed me, filled me, poured out His love, and plenty more.
A profusion of factors can either help or hinder our times of worship. We need to always be thriving in worship!Thriving in Worship Through These Five Steps
Today I would like to touch on some ways to walk out of a time of worship knowing that we eradicated hindrances within our control. Through them we can begin thriving in worship.
1 – Be punctual. Strike that. Be early. I am working hard on this one; I have to start preparing the day prior. It takes a moment to clear our heads to focus on the Lord after racing into the church, and it will be more difficult to do that if we are wondering if we shut the garage, brought the sippy cup, and turned off our vehicle’s headlights. Don’t ask me how I know this.
2 – Avoid distractions. The devil likes to illuminate petty distractions, but we don’t have to let him. We could simply close our eyes and focus our hearts on God. The fashion fail of the person near us really is less interesting. Also, I’m privileged to stand on the stage every week and help lead worship. I can’t tell you how many times I have seen an individual singing his heart out, eyes closed, hands raised, when suddenly his shoulder is tapped by a latecomer that interrupted his connecting with God in worship to hold a conversation. Whatever it is, it could probably wait.
3 – Drop the burdens. When we come, we might have burdens in our hands. But it’s difficult to worship while carrying them. We can’t lift our hands easily because of the weight of them. He says that we can have an exchange. He takes the burdens, and we receive mercy and grace (Hebrews 4:16). We can “put on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness” (Isaiah 61:3) in an act of faith. Burdens are for mules, anyway.
4 – Participate. He doesn’t need our praise. He is still clothed in glory and spender whether we worship Him or not. But He has said to worship Him and Him only. By obeying that command we acknowledge that we know that He is the great I AM. (Want to know how? I covered 5 biblical ways to bring worship in a recent post of this series.)
5 – Forgive. What if we feel hurt by someone? Or even God? Wounded hearts tends to recoil against the person who hurt them. Forgiving that person is an act of obedience to God that opens the door for our heart to be healed. If we think God hurt us, then somewhere we’ve been tricked by the enemy. God is love and love doesn’t injure others.
So what do I do now?
Let’s put thriving in worship into action!
- Read. Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted; his majesty is above earth and heaven. Psalm 148:13 ESV
- Reflect. Is what I’m doing before or during the worship service causing God’s name to be exalted?
- Pray. Lord, help me get worship-service-ready. Help me magnify Your name above all the things of this earth, even the necessary ones. I chose to get in place, avoid distractions, drop burdens, and praise You.
- Worship. Let’s lift up the name of the Lord!
What if, after all these “steps” God still feels far away? We’ll talk about that in the next (and final) post of this series.
How else can we thrive in worship to God?
*This post might be linked up.
Don’t miss the other great posts in the Experiencing Remarkable Worship Series:
- Experiencing Remarkable Worship
- Who Do We Worship?
- 4 Reasons I Will Worship God
- When You Worship
- Worship: God Likes Noise and Demonstration
- Worship Where You Are
- 5 Steps to Thriving in Worship
- When God Feels Far Away While Worshipping
Thanks for sharing, Kelly. Great post. I struggle most with #2. It seems at times my mind STAYS distracted.
Thanks, Steve. I think it takes a bit more effort when you’re on the stage like we are because there are so many people we are facing. 😉 I guess we could say that it takes being intentional.
Thank you, Kelly. Yes, I firmly believe being”intentional”in that situation is key.
This was very helpful–and practical! I never thought about preparing my heart BEFORE the service starts. I, too, am a worship leader and it is very important for us to be in a posture of worship so that we can lead others to do the same. Thanks for sharing, Kelly!!
Hi, Kaitlin! Always nice to meet other worship leaders. So glad to hear that it was helpful. I agree-it starts with the leaders. Thanks for reading and commenting today. 🙂
Awesome post Kelly. I moved closer to my sister and her family almost three years ago. It has been such a blessing to ride to church with them each week. She has her hands full trying to get herself and 3 children there early. It used to drive me crazy waiting for them pick me up. However, recently I started my worship before they arrive. I watch one of my favorite pastors while waiting. I pray and read my scriptures for Sunday School if I have time. This allows my mood to be so much better once they arrive and also I as I enter church. Sorry for the long comment but your post inspired me. Thank you for sharing such a thought provoking post. I hope you have a fantastic week and may God continue to richly bless you and yours!
That’s a wonderful way to set your mind and heart on Him before church starts, Horace! Don’t worry about the long comment; I enjoyed it. 🙂 Glad to see you here today. I think of you like the encouragement king. Thanks for the blessings and right back at ya!
These five tips are really good, Kelly. While we can just “fall into” worship unprepared, I agree that we are more likely to thrive in it if we take these steps to prepare our hearts and space for it!
Good to see you here, Lisa. 🙂
Kelly, your reminder about distractions is so good. We typically try to sit near the front to limit them as much as possible and found our little ones were engaged more there as well. Great post. Love the worship theme!!
Now there’s another practical tip! Thanks for stopping by, Deb. Glad you’re writing on worship, too.
thanks for stopping by my blog yesterday! I love number 3. The act of letting go of burdens is an act of worship to. It acknowledges who I am and Who I need. It just brings me even closer to Him recognizing that. thanks again for your encouraging words.
Amen, Kristina! Thanks for your visit!
Thanks for the practical and honest truths here Kelly! I say a simple prayer before each worship, ‘fill me Lord so I may pour you out’. It helps me focus on Him and allowing His truth to sink deep into me as I worship Him!
I love that, Jill! Beautiful! Thanks. 🙂
So timely Kelly… We will be leading worship this Sunday as well and I’ve been praying over the service since last month- that it would flow without distraction and be glorifying to HIM and not to us… It is so important to come to worship with open hearts and minds– and that it truly is all about God. ♥ Always happy to be linked up near you! Hanging at #freshmarketfriday today!
Hey, Heather! Great to see you here. I don’t think I knew you are a worship leader. Awesome! I love it that you’ve been praying over the service. That is so important, too, on a worship leader’s side of things. Thanks for your comment, friend. 🙂
Kelly, I’m still learning– on the praying and worship leading fronts! LOL! Hope you have an awesome week!