A Prayer to Cultivate a Heart of Worship
By Lynette Kittle
Bible Reading:
“But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” - 1 Samuel 16:7
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What does worship mean to us? How does it take place in our lives? What can we do to cultivate a heart of worship within us? Although many relate worship primarily to playing music, singing, dancing, the bowing of the head, and raising of our hands, Scripture reveals it originates from a much deeper place. Worship comes directly from our hearts, expressed through our thoughts, words, actions, and obedience. Even though worship is most often associated with physical actions, worship begins within our hearts, answering God’s call to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30).
Sorting through Forms of Worship
Whether we feel more comfortable sitting with our heads bowed and hands folded in worship, or in singing, dancing, and raising our hands, worship can take on forms that are not coming sincerely from truly devoted hearts but rather from pressure to follow certain acceptable outward expressions.
Isaiah 29:13 describes the misunderstanding many have concerning how worship is cultivated in our hearts. “The Lord says: ‘These people come near to Me with their mouth and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is based on merely human rules they have been taught.’”
Although God is not moved by worship coming from a religious routine, He receives worship that comes from hearts set on Him. John 4:23 explains, “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.” Worship is not about us, what instruments we’re playing, what kind of lights we’re using, the clothes we’re wearing, our hairstyles, or even the ways we’re moving during it, but about having hearts focused on God and His majesty.
4 Ways to Cultivate a Heart of Worship
Following are four ways we can cultivate worship within our hearts.
1. Worship is cultivated through the truth of God’s word and by His Spirit within us.
John 4:24 explains, “God is spirit, and His worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in the truth.” Reading, studying, and applying God’s word to our lives and yielding to His Spirit draws us to worship Him.
2. Worship is cultivated through our giving. Tithes and offerings aren’t about meeting a certain requirement but are about heartfelt worship to God from all He has given us.
As Jesus describes in Mark 12:43, it’s not about the amount given but rather involves giving from the heart. “Calling His disciples to Him, Jesus said, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.’” As 1 Chronicles 16:29 explains, “Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name; bring an offering and come before Him. Worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness.”
3. Worship is cultivated by recognizing God’s authority and His majesty and power.
As Hebrews 12:28 explains, “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.”
4. Worship is cultivated through the way we live. Living a holy life devoted to God may be the highest form of worship we can give God because it demonstrates what we truly believe within our hearts.
As Romans 12:1 urges, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”
Let’s Pray:
Dear Father,
Forgive us for times when we’ve just gone through the motions of worship, following the lead of others, wanting to fit in, being led by our heads rather than our hearts. Soften our hearts, Lord, to be fully devoted to You and You alone, free from the distractions of the world around us. Like Ezekiel 36:26 describes, put a new heart and new spirit within us; replace our hearts of stone with hearts of flesh. Help us to cultivate worship in our lives by studying Your Word, giving of ourselves and our resources, recognizing Your authority and majesty, and living holy lives pleasing to You. Lead us in worshipping You through Your Spirit and the truth of Your Word, and as Psalm 96:9 instructs, help us to worship You in the splendor of Your holiness.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Nata Bene
Lynette Kittle is married with four daughters. She enjoys writing about faith, marriage, parenting, relationships, and life. Her writing has been published by Focus on the Family, Decision, Today’s Christian Woman, kirkcameron.com, Ungrind.org, StartMarriageRight.com, and more. She has a M.A. in Communication from Regent University and serves as associate producer for Soul Check TV.
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