The word worship comes from six different words in the New Testament. Two of the main words used for worship are “proskuneo” which means to kiss the hand of a superior or bow down. The second word for worship is “latreuo” which describes serving as a priest would.
We get the English word for worship from a combination of two roots: worth and ship. When we worship, we are elevating God above everything and everyone we value. Our hearts are expressing that He is more worthy than anything or anyone else. Jesus reminds us in the gospels that where our treasure is, there is where our heart is.
When Jesus talked to the Samaritan woman at the well, he told her that worship comes from the inside of us—from our hearts. He shared with her “…worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.”
As we begin the practice of worship, it’s important that we understand that our hearts are at the core of true worship. Worship is one of the greatest things we can do in this world, but our hearts are also naturally unprepared for worship. How do we then prepare our hearts for worship?
Here’s a couple of things to think about in preparing our hearts for worship:
- Begin engaging your heart with the greatness of who God is. Just begin telling Him out loud.
- Withdraw your heart in confession from every sinful way. Tell Him where your heart wants to be.
- Disentangle your heart from the things of this world. Confess to Him where your heart is.
- Watch over your heart. Pray that the Holy Spirit helps you keep your gaze and focus on Him.
These things help “tune our hearts” to worship God. In preparation for this particular practice of seeing our worship in lite of what heavenly worship will be like, read through the Revelation 7 passage.
1. Read together Revelation 7:9-17
9 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” 11 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying:
“Amen!
Praise and glory
and wisdom and thanks and honor
and power and strength
be to our God for ever and ever.
Amen!”
13 Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?”14 I answered, “Sir, you know.” And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore,
“they are before the throne of God
and serve him day and night in his temple;
and he who sits on the throne
will shelter them with his presence.
16 ‘Never again will they hunger;
never again will they thirst.
The sun will not beat down on them,’
nor any scorching heat.
17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne
will be their shepherd;
‘he will lead them to springs of living water.
‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’”
2. As you read the scripture, what images of worship caught your attention?
What particular things show us where the worshiper’s hearts are?
3. Choose two of the videos from the Global Worship Practice and listen to the songs once together.
Watch the videos here. What caught your attention as you observed others worshiping on the video?
4. Play the videos one more time, but this time try to engage your heart through the process below.
Even though you may not be able to understand the language, express your worship with ways other than just your voice.
Preparing our hearts for worship:
- Begin engaging your heart with the greatness of who God is. Just begin telling Him out loud.
- Withdraw your heart in confession from every sinful way.
- Disentangle your heart from the things of this world.
- Watch over your heart. Pray that the Holy Spirit helps you.
As you encounter God, how does He want you to respond? Take turns sharing if you are in a group.
