Weekend Worship

Worship is a sticky issue in most churches. Talk about changing the way you worship on Sunday morning and nine out of ten people may react as if you cut off their arm. But the truth of the matter is worship is so much more than what we participate, or maybe do not participate, in on Sunday mornings. This is something God has spoken to me in the past few weeks.

Personally, I have never reacted well to corporate worship. I have always felt it pointless to sing the, sometimes random, lyrics of praise songs. I usually just sit back and, if the worship is not up to my standards, note how they might have improved it. This is my sin. I am a critic and like most good critics I am equally good at sitting and assessing the problem without doing anything to fix it. Little did I know that what needed fixing was my own heart.

God has taught me that there are so many different facets to worship; I do not necessarily have to enjoy Sunday morning worship. I do not even have to sing. But what I do need to do is make sure I recognize that God is worthy of praise; my praise. There lies another problem: what does it mean to "praise God"? This is something I have always struggled with. How do I praise God?

Praise and Worship is found all throughout the Bible. Here are a few examples from the Greek:

1. Eusebeo means "fear or reverence" (think liturgical worship)
2. Proskuneo means "to kiss" (adoration)
3. Latrueo means "to serve" (a servants heart)

Now this presents a variety of ways to worship, none of which involve singing (so if your voice can be likened to a dying monkey, fear not! You can still worship).  In fact, none of the Greek words that are translated "worship" or "praise" reference singing at all. I am not saying that singing praise and worship songs is a bad thing. I am merely stating that it is not the only way to praise God. God showed me that He wants our praise every day, all day, not just on the weekend. This can come in the form of prayer, silent recognition of His greatness or any number of other forms.

The one thing that particularly bothered me, even after this new understanding of worship, was this: I love music. I love singing. I love playing the guitar. But I did not love doing all those things to the glory of God and I could not figure out why. I thought that worship songs were musically boring and lyrically childish. Was it pride? Was it a spiritual immaturity? Probably both.



I have always liked writing. I have written tons of songs, not one of which has been about God... Until yesterday. Recently, with all these lessons about worship, I have taken up a new hobby. In the morning after my devotions I will pull out my guitar, play a simple chord progression, and just sing to God, unscripted, raw words of my heart. This is something that I would highly recommend. It does not have to rhyme, it can even be the same chord progression day after day. Just give it a shot. My wife and I also started singing a hymn at breakfast; it is a great start to the day.

I would like to share with you the song I wrote .This song is reminiscent of a time God spoke audibly to me. My soul longs to hear His voice again. You can read that post by Clicking Here, "The Day God Spoke Audibly to Me"

Let my words be few that I may hear from you.
Lord, my mind renew; all my sin remove.


I just want to hear your voice. I just want to hear your voice.


Lord God speak, I want to hear your words in the wind.
Breathe into your child's heart again.
I don't know exactly what it means,
but I want to worship you as King.


Lord in all I do, I commit my plans to you.
Let my life be true that you may shine through.

This is my prayer: that I may decrease and He may increase.