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“The true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for such the Father seeks to worship him (John 4:23).
Each Sunday morning as we celebrate God’s presence in our worship service, I am constantly amazed how the presence of God comes into our sanctuary! It is not uncommon to see people weeping; it is not uncommon to see the peace and glory of God on faces. In his chapter on worship, author Richard Foster shares some wonderful insights that will help you to experience God in a greater way through worship.
How can we prepare for our worship experience each Sunday? Here is what Foster had to say:
“Enter the service ten minutes early. Lift your heart in adoration to the King of glory. Contemplate his majesty, glory and tenderness as revealed in Jesus Christ. Picture the marvelous vision that Isaiah had of the Lord ‘high and lifted up’ or the magnificent revelation that John had of Christ with eyes ‘like a flame of fire’ and voice ‘like the sound of many waters’ (Isaiah 6; Revelation 1). Invite the real presence to be manifest.”
Consider that over forty-one of the Psalms command us to “Sing unto the Lord.” To the ancient Hebrews of the Old Testament the word translated worship meant “to prostrate.” The word bless spoke of kneeling and Thanksgiving referred to the extension of the hands. Thus the Bible instructs us to worship with clapping, dancing, standing, etc. The point is that worship can never be passive, but always active!
Foster offers seven steps into worship:
- Learn to practice the presence of God daily. Allow public worship on Sundays to be heightened with expectancy because it is the culmination or crescendo of an entire week of worship moments.
- Have many different experiences of worship. Worship God when you are alone, or in a small group of people.
- Find ways to really prepare for the gathered experience of worship. Prepare on Saturday night by going to bed early, by having an inward experience of examination and confession.
- Have a willingness to be gathered in the power of the Lord. Let go of your agenda. Worship should be focused on God, not our flesh.
- Cultivate Holy dependency. Holy dependency means that you are utterly and completely dependent upon God for anything significant to happen.
- Absorb distractions with gratitude. If there is noise or distraction, rather than fussing and fuming about it, learn to take it in and conquer it.
- Learn to offer a sacrifice of worship. Many times you will not “feel” like worship.
Let us come together in “Holy Expectation” and meet with God.
*Celebration of Discipline - Richard Foster
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 Chester L. Mitchell - Lead Pastor
Capital Community Church
Ashburn, Virginia 20147
Web: www.capitalcommunity.org
Chester L. Mitchell is the pastor and founder of Capital Community Church, in Ashburn, Virginia. In 1996, Pastor & Sis. Mitchell stepped out in faith and started a new work in an elementary school. Since then, CCC has grown to a new facility and multiple services. Their ministry of great vision and an incredible passion for people, continues to grow a thriving church in Northern Virginia.
Web: www.chestermitchell.org |
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