Preparation For Worship

Before and as we enter into worship we need to prepare our hearts. Here are a few things to consider in preparation for worship:

1. Make sure you are right with God. Matthew 5:8 ⁸Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.¹ Psalm 66:18 ¹⁸If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.² 1John 1:9 ⁹If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.³ While we are right with God because of Jesus' death on the cross we still need to keep our lives free from sin and confess our sin when we do sin. Sin hinders our relationship with God. Confession clears the air and keeps our relationship with God healthy.

2. Quiet your heart. Luke 10:38-42 ³⁸As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. ³⁹She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. ⁴⁰But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" ⁴¹"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, ⁴²but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."⁴ As we enter into worship we need to leave the cares, worries, and demands upon our lives behind and focus upon the Lord.

3. Surrender your heart to God. Matthew 15:7-9 ⁷You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: ⁸"These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. ⁹They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men."⁵ Our hearts need to be committed to God. We can go through the motions of worship but it will be meaningless unless are hearts are right with Him.

4. Come with a humble heart. 2 Chronicles 7:14 ¹⁴If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.⁶

¹ Matthew 5:8, NIV.
² Psalm 66:18, NIV.
³ 1 John 1:9, NIV.
⁴ Luke 10:38-42, NIV.
⁵ Matthew 15:7-9, NIV.
⁶ 2 Chronicles 7:14, NIV.