What Is Worship?
Open Your Bible
Deuteronomy 6:13-14, Isaiah 40:18-31, Matthew 14:22-33, Joshua 24:14-15, John 4:21-24
BY Amanda Bible Williams
I was five years old, standing with my mom and brother in a pew near the front of the sanctuary. We were singing a hymn and I had my eyes closed, my hands held in front of me with my palms facing up as if carrying an invisible tray. This is my earliest memory of worship.
I didn’t know to call it that. I was just responding to the reality of who God showed Himself to be. Somehow—maybe through the Scripture read from the pulpit or a truth proclaimed in that hymn, or maybe through whispers from the Holy Spirit to my heart—I caught a glimpse of God, big and strong and holy, but also good and loving. I felt connected to Him, like I knew Him and He knew me. It didn’t matter that I was small; I knew right then that I was His, and my heart responded in kind.
That moment in my memory marks the beginning of a lifelong journey of worship, of learning to respond to God with all of myself. There are times this resembles that day in the church pew, my heart swelling in worship as the pipe organ plays and the congregation sings. More often it takes a subtler form, a different shape of surrender for each circumstance and season. Sometimes my worship is misplaced; like a train without tracks, I give my awe and reverence to something other than my Creator.
Scripture makes it clear that we are to worship nothing and no one other than the one true God. He is the only one worthy of our worship.
“To whom will you compare me,
or who is my equal?” asks the Holy One.
Look up and see!
Who created these?
He brings out the stars by number;
he calls all of them by name.
Because of his great power and strength,
not one of them is missing.”
–Isaiah 40:25–26
But if worship is indeed more than singing on Sunday morning, what is it? Jesus told the Samaritan woman at the well that true worshipers worship “in Spirit and in truth” (John 4:23). How do we worship with a heart tuned to the Spirit of the Lord and tethered to the truth of His Word?
These are the questions we will explore in this study of what it means to worship God. Each day we will read about an aspect of worship from Scripture, spending time reflecting on what it looks like in our lives. While these two weeks will not give us an exhaustive look at the topic of worship in the Bible, our prayer is that we’ll walk away with a fuller understanding of what “worship in spirit and in truth” means for us and the God who made us.
Like that little girl with hands stretched out, I am still learning how to worship. Join me as we learn together, and may our lives reflect more of God’s goodness and glory as a result.
161 thoughts on "What Is Worship?"
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I want to learn to worship all the time, especially in those moments where it’s hardest. Those moments where I don’t feel it or necessarily want too, but still find it in me to worship because of the thankfulness from my heart for all The Father has done for me ♥️
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Fran, some of the deepest victories I’ve experienced have come from those times when I chose to worship even when I didn’t feel a thing, when My mind and feelings were a whirlwind of frustration or anger or depression. There wasn’t any dramatic praising on my part. It was me forcing out words of thankfulness through tears or a prayer that was barely lucid through the anger. And the result wasn’t wonderful feelings afterward. But it was power to come through the situation and to make noticeable progress. I guess my point is, if you sense that you should be worshiping in a situation, don’t let the lack of a certain “state of mind” hinder you from at least getting the words out. There is power in simply saying to God, “right now I’m so angry/frustrated/sad that I can’t see straight. Thank you anyway. Thank you for this situation, please give me Your power to get the victory.”
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Judy, I’m not sure if you’ll see this as your comment was some time ago, but thank you for sharing. I think sometimes we hold back from comment but my eyes filled with tears as I read yours. It’s comforting to read that someone else’s feels exactly the same way and then be able to get the confirmation that you’re in the right track. Sometimes I feel guilty for not feeling joyous in my prayer time and in the current climate of the world, frustration and anger is sometimes overwhelming. I think that’s the devils plan. But pushing through and forcing out my prayers and continuing to reach out to God in the midst of it all is the only way. Thanks for the reminder it’s okay to be honest and just say I’m frustrated. Help me. God Bless.
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After a time of worship, I always feel so refreshed and peaceful.
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I’ve been a worshipper for many years and a worship leader in church for almost as many. Sometimes I just don’t feel like it but I will lift my voice and my hands anyway. And God makes himself real to me in my obedience, even when my attitude isn’t on par…and soon enough my attitude is changed and my spirit is lifted. There are so many ways to show our worship as well. Looking forward to the next couple weeks of learning together.
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I truly appreciate the time and thought that was put into this study. I pray that it bears fruit in me. As a song leader (we no longer use the term Worship leader In our assembly) this message is more meaningful to me than you could imagine. Thank You!
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I feel like worship almost instantly reminds me about all of the love that God has for all His children. With this reading plan I really want to prioritize my worship time again.
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Worship in truth and in spirit for our God is spirit. When we worship God with an honest heart, he hears us. We don’t have to be a creation age or feel the need to fit into a criteria for God to hear us. He will hear those who are asking for him when we tune into his heart by our cry.
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What a beautiful overview of worship! I never realized that my favorite
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I am new to worship and devotionals. I always went to church growing up and went to sunday school, but I never read the bible outside of that time or feel like I have learned how to. I am excited for this study to teach me how to worship and am excited to get closer to God ❤
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Just saw this in passing and may I just say I’m so excited for you and the new beginning of your journey Michaela! My prayer for you is that you will seek God with your whole heart and be gripped by His love and mercy, continuing to learn more about Him and connect with Him deeper ever single day that He gives you!
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