I sat in the balcony of the sanctuary when I heard the words that brought tears to my eyes …
“God, we ask that You would lead us as we prepare and plan for the worship service this coming weekend …”
On a Wednesday morning, as my student and I were working together, in a church that has opened it’s doors to a work experience placement, I encountered the heart of preparing for worship.
Preparing for worship is often misinterpreted.
It can be misinterpreted as being only about the music.
wrong
It can be misinterpreted as the sermon.
wrong
It can be misinterpreted as the offering.
wrong
It can be misinterpreted as:
the prayers prayed
the communion taken
the announcements made
the people who do the leading
etc.
etc.
etc.
Preparing for worship can be misinterpreted.
To prepare for worship is to prepare the heart …
The heart of those preaching, teaching, leading the service, leading the music, praying, serving communion, taking the offering.
It is through prayer that each individual associated with worship is prepared. Heads bowed, knees bowed, heart, mind and will bowed to the One we worship. It is not our worship service, it is His … And He is at the center of it.
It is through prayer that ALL who come to worship are made prepared.
It is not just the pastors (although that is essential), it is not just the music teams (although that is essential), it is not just those preparing and serving communion (although that is essential).
It is through prayer that ALL who come to worship are made prepared.
It is through bowing down that we might be lifted up.
“Come, let us worship and bow down, Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.”
Psalm 95:6
