Prayer And Worship

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When It Is Hard To Worship

Have you ever felt stuck regarding prayer and worship? Or getting into worship? When life gets hard, I struggle in this area and need to go back to the basics. When I lost my dad, I found it challenging to worship and my only prayer was, “help.”

A friend of mine, Barbara Francis, once said when grief overtook her, she would turn on worship music and let the musicians sing for her. This eventually brought her to a place to do it on her own. We experience moments where we struggle to worship and it’s ok as long as we don’t stay there.

Freedom In Worship

I have always wanted to feel more freedom in worship. At home with no one watching, I give it my all. With hands raised, on my knees, I sing as loud as I want. Anyone else know what I’m talking about? Give me an amen in the comments.

In church, I used to feel insecure. I felt nervous, as if all eyes were on me. Often, I would watch others who seemed free. Like they touched the gates of Heaven. Envy would welcome itself into my heart and my focus turned from worship to wanting to experience what they had. I would leave disappointed in myself, wishing I could live in the freedom they felt.

When I started writing the series on the Hebrew alphabet, one thing that unexpectantly changed in me was the way I worshiped. As I studied, God came in and remolded my heart. God shaped the Lamed ל of the Hebrew alphabet in the shape of our heart pointing to Heaven. You can read about that more here in “Worship” and here in “Praise and Worship.”

Studying the letters that God gave His people thousands of years ago changed something in me and I will never be the same because of it. 1 Chronicles 16 does the same for me as the Lamed ל. It is a picture of worship. I pray that as you continue to read, you will feel drawn to worship and experience a new depth in your time with God.

Proclaim His Greatness

The priests had just moved the Ark of the Covenant, and David and the people celebrated and made offerings to the Lord. Then, starting in verse eight, we see a glimpse into their worship. If you ever feel stuck and need guidance, this is a great place to start. I will not include all the verses for time’s sake, so I encourage you to read all of 1 Chronicles 16:8-36 when you can.

“Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done.”

1 Chronicles 16:8 NLT

I like to begin most of my prayers with thanksgiving. Thanking God for what He has done in my life and for the promises of what He says He will do. As you see above, the NLT says, “Proclaim His Greatness.” The Voice Bible translates it as, “Call out to Him.” The ESV translates it as, “Call upon his name.” Beautiful!

When we thank Him for who He is and call out to Him, I picture us opening a curtain between here and Heaven. Pulling back the layers that we have allowed to come between us and God. We clear the muck between us and God. My focus turns from my problem or situation to what God has done.

When we thank Him for who He is and call out to Him, I picture us opening a curtain between here and Heaven. Pulling back the layers that we have allowed to come between us and God. Click To Tweet

Sing To Him

“Sing to him; yes, sing his praises. Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds. Exult in his holy name; rejoice, you who worship the Lord.”

1 Chronicles 16:9-10 NLT

The primary way we think to worship is through singing. When I am in a service and hear someone around me genuinely singing, it is like hearing their heart connect with God. It does something inside me and drives me to want to do the same. Holy Spirit is contagious, and I want more of Him. You never know the fires He may ignite through your worship.

Worship can come in many forms – clapping, painting, dancing, playing an instrument, writing, prayer and many more. Share ways you have worshipped in the comments below.

In His Strength

“Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him. Remember the wonders he has performed, his miracles, and the rulings he has given, you children of his servant Israel, you descendants of Jacob, his chosen ones.”

1 Chronicles 16:11-13 NLT

Search for the Lord and for His strength. Love this! The Voice translation says it like this, “Always follow the Eternal, His strength and His face.” I know I need His strength. Only in His strength can I do the things He asks of me. I need His strength for boldness, for courage, for making it each day with chronic illness, for parenting, for marriage, every aspect of life. I need His strength.

When we worship, it is like plugging ourselves into the Holy Spirit and getting recharged. He gives us His power and strength. Don’t you find that amazing? That the maker of the universe wants to give us strength.

David, once again, reminds us to remember all God has done. Over and over in this chapter, he reminds us to not forget the wonders He performed. I like to write about the moments in my life when God shows up in a journal. So when I go back into the valley, I can read and remember what He did on the mountain.

Every Knee Will Bow

“Let the whole earth sing to the Lord! Each day proclaim the good news that he saves.”

1 Chronicles 16:23 NLT

How I long to see this. Just like we read in Philippians.

“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:10-11 NLT

Can you imagine this? I can’t wait. To see all of creation bow down to the King of kings will be more than we can even fathom.

Tell Everyone

“Publish his glorious deeds among the nations. Tell everyone about the amazing things he does.”

1 Chronicles 16:24 NLT

This is my writing verse and what I hope to do. As I mentioned in the list above, worship comes in many forms. I encourage you in your time of prayer and worship to ask God to show you of new ways He may want you to worship Him.

Tithes And Offerings

”Give to the Lord the glory he deserves! Bring your offering and come into his presence. Worship the Lord in all his holy splendor.”

1 Chronicles 16:29 NLT

Did you know that our tithes and offerings are also worship? When we give to God our time, our service and/or our finances, we worship Him. Just as bringing a bull to the temple was an offering in the old testament giving our tithes are the same now.

Tell The Nations

“Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice! Tell all the nations, “The Lord reigns!”

1 Chronicles 16:31 NLT

If you read this entire chapter, you will notice a trend. Tell the nations… David tells us repeatedly to tell the nations. Have you ever thought of sharing the good news as worship? Google defines worship as “the feeling or expression of reverence and adoration for a deity.” When we tell others about all God has done for us, we do just this.

His Love Endures Forever

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.”

1 Chronicles 16:34 NLT

Recognize this? We use this verse in many liturgy’s. Just as we start with thanksgiving, we should finish with it. There is something supernatural about our giving thanks to God.

I will finish with the last line of this scripture and leave it as it is because it is perfect as it is. Take time today and thank God for all He has done. Worship Him in the ways He leads and open your heart to receive whatever He may want to give you during this time. If you get something new, don’t forget to thank Him for it. I pray God blessed you as you seek to know Him more.

“Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, who lives from everlasting to everlasting! And all the people shouted ‘Amen!’ and praised the Lord.”

1 Chronicles 16:36 NLT

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