Rev. Jane-Elizabeth Brakhage Presents
'Spiritual Discipline'
Rev. Jane-Elizabeth Brakhage, Missouri West Conference UMC
(a good friend of Rev. Michael Lee Burgess, shared with permission).
5 Suggestions On Preparing For Worship
Have you heard people say that they don't get anything out of worship?
Have you ever wondered how you could get more out of worship?
Have you ever thought about what makes worship happen?
In a recent Bible Study, we looked at the discipline of worship.
The author of the study, Karla Kincannon, says that worship is the work of Christians,
"it is our job to give honor and glory to God."
She also says that if "worship is the work of the people, we have our job cut out for us."
When you come to how much preparation have you put into it?
An hour getting ready beforehand?
Have you been preparing for it all week through prayer, Bible study, and Christian fellowship?
Kincannon says that we often "come with little or no preparation for the hour we spend in worship.
Some of us have not prayed or listened to God all week long.
If the gathered community worship is the only time during the week when we pay
attention to our spiritual life, it is no wonder we leave empty-handed.
We have our priorities out of order." And wouldn't we prepare for a test?
Don't we prepare for the work of the day? Why shouldn't we prepare for worship?
Therefore, praying, Bible study, and devotional time all help you prepare for worship.
So what are some other ways we can prepare for worship? Kincannon suggests the following:
1) Pray for your pastor and worship leaders and for the gathered community.
Daily prayers can dramatically change the experience of worship for the entire
congregation, not just the person praying.
Invoking God's Spirit in the planning of worship has a cumulative effect.
The more we acknowledge and seek God's Spirit in the planning of worship, the more
likely we are to experience God's presence at the actual time of worship.
2) If you know the Scripture for the coming Sunday, use them as devotional reading
during the week. Meditate on the Scripture and study it.
Even reading the Scripture before hearing it on Sunday morning can increase its
meaning in our life.
3) If you know the hymns before the service, incorporate them into your devotional life.
Try praying the hymns of the church; read the lyrics as if they are prayers.
4) Listen for God's voice during the week.
Try to discern where God is moving in your life.
Practice cultivating an awareness of God' presence as you go about your daily routine.
Imagine Jesus sitting next to you in your car as you do your errands or drive to work.
Look for the Spirit of Christ in the eyes of those you meet.
5) Arrive at church several minutes before worship is to begin.
Use the time to focus on God and to center yourself for worship.
Pray for what is about to happen and for those who will lead the gathered community in worship.
As the sanctuary fills with the members of the gathered community, pray for those who enter.
Surround them with the light of Christ.
Using these suggestions can help increase your awareness of God's presence not just at
worship but in your daily life as well.
And after all, if worship is some of the most important work a Christian can do, isn't
worth preparing for during the week? May the love of Christ fill your life.
Until next time, may the peace and grace of Christ be with you always.
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