03.29.2023 | Prepare Our Hearts, O Lord!

March 29, 2023 6:00 AM by Pastor Anton Brown

I am convinced that the preparation of our hearts for Christian worship on Sunday is of utmost importance. Worship is not a mere ritual, but it is a holy encounter with the triune God who created us, redeemed us, and sanctifies us. Worship is also an act of obedience and love to God and a means of spiritual nourishment and edification for the believer. Therefore, preparing our hearts before we enter the sanctuary and approach the throne of grace is crucial.

One practical way to prepare for worship is through prayer. Prayer is how we communicate with God and express our reverence, gratitude, and petitions to Him. Before going to church, we should set aside some time to pray and ask the Holy Spirit to prepare our hearts, to fill us with the knowledge of God's will, and to help us to worship in spirit and truth. We should also pray for our pastors, for the worship leaders, and for the congregation that we may all be united in worship and in the proclamation of the Gospel.

Another way to prepare for worship is through scripture reading. The Bible is God's inspired and inerrant Word and the source of all truth and wisdom. Before attending church, we should read the scripture passages that will be preached and meditate on their meaning and application to our lives. We should also read other portions of the Bible that inspire us to worship, such as the Psalms, the Gospels, or the Epistles. By reading the Bible, we prepare our hearts to receive God's Word and to respond to it with faith and obedience.

Self-reflection is also an essential aspect of worship preparation. We should examine ourselves and confess our sins, seeking God's forgiveness and cleansing. We should also reflect on God's goodness, mercy, and grace and on the ways in which He has blessed us and sustained us. By reflecting on our spiritual condition, we become more aware of our need for God and of His love for us.

Unfortunately, many people have misconceptions or barriers to preparing their hearts for worship. Some may think that Bible reading and prayer do not matter or that they can worship God without any preparation. Others may feel too busy, distracted, or indifferent to engage in worship preparation. However, neglecting worship preparation can have serious consequences, such as a lack of spiritual growth, a superficial understanding of God's Word, or a lukewarm attitude toward worship.

To overcome these barriers, we need to cultivate a habit of worship preparation and to prioritize it in our daily lives. We can start by setting aside a specific time and place for prayer and Bible reading, and by involving our family and friends in this practice. We can also use devotional books or apps to guide our meditation on God's Word, or join a Bible study or prayer group to deepen our fellowship with other believers. Moreover, we can seek accountability from our pastors or mentors, who can encourage us and provide spiritual guidance.

Church historical practices for worship preparation can also provide valuable insights and inspiration for us. Throughout the history of the church, Christians have developed various forms of prayer, fasting, confession, and meditation to prepare their hearts for worship. For example, the Puritans emphasized the need for self-examination and repentance before the Lord's Supper, and they wrote many devotional books that are still relevant today. The Reformed tradition also emphasizes the importance of the Word of God and the sacraments in worship, and encourages believers to approach them with reverence and awe. By studying the practices of our spiritual ancestors, we can learn from their wisdom and apply it to our own lives.

Finally, to sustain a heart of worship beyond Sunday, we need to cultivate a lifestyle of worship. This means we should seek to live a life that honors God in all areas, not just Sundays. We should seek to glorify God in our work, relationships, hobbies, and thoughts. We should also engage in spiritual disciplines such as prayer, Bible reading, fasting, and serving others, which can help us to grow in our faith and deepen our love for God.

In conclusion, preparing our hearts for Christian worship on Sunday is a crucial aspect of our spiritual life as disciples of Jesus. By engaging in prayer, scripture reading, and self-reflection, we can prepare ourselves to worship God in spirit and truth and to receive His Word with faith and obedience. We need to overcome common misconceptions and barriers to worship preparation and to cultivate a habit of worship that is rooted in God's Word and the historical practices of the church. Finally, we should seek to sustain a heart of worship beyond Sunday by living a lifestyle that honors God and by engaging in spiritual disciplines that draw us closer to Him. May the Lord help us to prepare our hearts for worship and to glorify Him in all that we do.