Week 20: 21 Weeks of Prayer & Fasting
WEEK 20
A Call to Expectation - Expecting to Experience God in Worship
What is worship to you? When you're in Church, do you find yourself wondering if there's a deeper purpose to praise and worship? Do you expect to meet with God in your times of worship?
Worship is the willing acknowledgement of God's sovereignty over us, and it's the invitation for Him to do what He wills in our lives. Worship realigns our minds, our emotions, and our will, to the truth in God's Word. But most importantly, worship exalts God. "You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created.... Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honor and power belong to the Lord our God!" (Rev 4:11, 19:1)
Singing is the launching pad for experiencing God in worship.
Singing is easily one of the most emotionally unifying activity a group of people can do. Why do you think we go to concerts? God's wisdom is made clear in His Scriptures when He commands us to sing.
"Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with the voice of triumph!... Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises!" (Ps 47:1, 6)
"Sing to God, sing praises to His name; Extol Him who rides on the clouds.... Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth; Oh, sing praises to the Lord." (Ps 68:4, 32)
Singing releases God's power and life in our lives.
When we sing in worship, we are releasing God's power into our lives. Scripture says, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit," (Proverbs: 18:21). We have the power to speak death or life. Speaking truth is like light shining into darkness, "And the light shines into the darkness, and darkness can never extinguish it." (Jn 1:5) When we sing to Him, the truth and light that flows from our mouth overcomes the lies and darkness in our hearts.
RESPOND
- Observe Scriptures that center around worship, singing, or speaking truthfully
- Approach your times of worship with an expectant attitude that God is going to meet you there.
- Open your mouth and sing. Not just the songs that are being sung, but sing your prayers and sing Scriptures.
REPENT
- Ask for forgiveness for not engaging in worship because the musical style or song choice is out of your preference.
- Repent for any areas you have not engaged in worship, and the corporate benefits that have been hindered when you've not engaged.
PRAY
Lord, thank You for Your wonderful beauty and Your infinite worth! Help me to see You as the beautiful God that You are. Strengthen me when I enter into worship, that I may give You my heart without reservation. Help me to give You the glory that You deserve. In Jesus' name, Amen.
WORSHIP
"When you walk into the room, Everything changes,
Darkness starts to tremble, At the light that you bring,
And when you walk into the room, Every heart starts burning,
And nothing matters more than just to sit here at your feet,
And worship you"
- When You Walk Into the Room, Bryan and Katie Torwalt