When we think about worship, we often think about singing songs in church on Sunday morning. But worship is so much more than that! In fact, the Bible tells us that we should be worshipping God every day. As Christians grow in their faith they learn how to worship God in various ways.
In this blog post, we will discuss 12 different ways to worship God regularly. Some of these ways are common, while others may be a little less familiar to you. But they all have one thing in common: they are all a way to express our love and gratitude for Him!
What Does It Mean For Me To Worship God?
How to worship God? Give Him your life, your love, your everything. Acknowledge Him for the Great God that He is. Praise Him for being the Creator God who spoke the world into existence. Glorify Him for His Plan of Salvation as He sent His Son, Jesus Christ to this earth to live a perfect life, die a cruel death, and rise from the grave – paying for our sins. Hold nothing back in your relationship with the Savior.
The Bible tells us that worship is so much more than just attending church on Sundays. In fact, worship is something we should be doing every day! Worship is a way for us to express our love and gratitude for God. It is a way for us to show Him that we are thankful for His blessings in our lives.
When we use the word “worship” we mean showing and demonstrating love, admiration, honor, and holy respect for God. Sometimes worshipping God can induce powerful emotions. However, the act of worship isn’t necessarily tied to our emotions.
Have you ever worshipped God out of obedience when you were sad or upset? Have you ever cried out to God and told Him how great He is even when you were going through a very rough part of your life?
Worshiping God means giving Him our undivided attention and love. We show our worship for Him through our words, thoughts, actions, and gifts. When we worship God, we are declaring that He is the most important thing in our lives. We are also expressing our gratitude for all that He has done for us.
Common Ways That We Worship God
If we have a desire to know how to worship God, He can show us more ways than we ever thought. When we talk about ways to praise God and honor God some of these things may immediately come to mind.
Some may not. True worship can be expressed in many different ways. First, let’s look at some aspects of corporate worship (worshiping with others), and then we will take a look at some private ways to worship a bit later.
How To Worship God – Corporate Worship
Obviously, this is the time when we come together as a church body to sing worship songs, study God’s word, and focus on our heavenly Father together. This is very important in a believer’s life as it serves to encourage us and help guide us in our spiritual growth.
There is something very special about gathering with other believers in a church building, someone’s home, or. any place where people can gather. In the book of Hebrews, the Bible says:
“And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. “ Hebrews 10:25
How To worship God – 6 Ideas To Help In Church Gatherings
1- How To Worship God? Don’t Wait Until You’re In the Building
If you want to worship God better in a church gathering, here’s a big one. When you are coming to a worship gathering of any type, don’t wait until you get there to get in a mindset of worship.
Certainly, if we are honest with ourselves we know that we should maintain an attitude of worship on a consistent basis, day by day, hour by hour. However, because of the modern and fast-paced lifestyles we lead, many Christians fail to do that.
I remember that during decades of worship leading, the first few minutes were some of the most difficult times to lead because people walked in very unprepared for worship.
I don’t say that critically. For years I would get to the church on Sunday very early in the morning with other worship team members. We would rehearse the music for the morning, have prayer time, and be able to spend time in praise and worship before the congregation got there.
However, most people don’t come straight from a worship music environment and go straight into a worship service. That’s why, as Christians, we need to prepare our hearts beforehand.
- Start your Sundays by simply setting your mind on the Lord, realizing how much God loves you and how much He wants a relationship with you.
- Hum or sing your favorite song of praise while you shower (you don’t have to do it loudly).
- Try your best to work in a short quiet time even if it’s only 3-4 minutes to focus on God and tell Him that you want to encounter Him in genuine worship that day.
Especially if you have children to get ready for church those things can be more difficult. However, you can find small ways to set your mind on Jesus. When a mom or dad is experiencing the hustle and bustle of getting the family ready for church set your mind on the fact that you are worshipping Your Father even in the hectic act of getting the family loaded up for church.
I want to encourage you that any of those things can help. However, families and individuals are going to have quite a few Sundays when you just feel like you’re trying to survive as you get you and your family to church. God knows that and He understands. But any way that you can find to glorify God and ask the Holy Spirit to work in you before a time of corporate worship can really help.
2- How To Worship God? Make a Joyful Noise – (Letter Fly)
When I was young I had a pastor say that he sang by “letter.” He said. “I just open up and letter fly!” As corny as that may be there is something to be learned in the simplicity of that. Don’t worry about anyone around you. You’re not singing for them. You’re there to sing praises to you Heavenly Father. Take advantage of those times of singing spiritual songs with others.
I still have images of people in my mind, good people, faithful people who I never saw open their mouths while we were singing.
For a person who is very introverted, they may have to push out of their comfort zones just a little bit to sing along with the worship songs.
Sometimes we have made the term “make a joyful noise” trite or silly, but God didn’t give us that phrase by accident. When I was a small child I memorized Psalm 100. It starts with these instructions:
“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.”
Psalm 100:1 (KJV)
I’m afraid that with our big music teams and professional sounding bands we have unintentionally made our worship services a spectator sport. And, if that is true, then I probably have been as guilty both as a leader and sometimes not singing as I should when I’m not. The bible says that:
“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.”
Psalm 19:1 (ESV)
Surely we can open our mouths and give sounds of praise from our hearts to the very heart of God.
3- How To Worship God? Meditate On Words Of Songs
I love music. I love its structure, I love music theory, chord structures, melodies, and all that goes with that. I was trained as a musician. So, if I’m not careful, I can let my mind focus on the melody or mechanics of a particular song and let the lyrics become secondary.
However, we can meditate (think deeply or carefully about something) as we are singing those words. Let those lyrics go past your brain and into your heart. If the lyrics are about being thankful, then express thanksgiving from your heart. If it’s a song about God’s creation, then focus your mind on His majestic creation as you sing.
As a musician, I think that God gave us music for many purposes – sometimes just for our enjoyment and entertainment. But, when you sing praises during a time of worship, allow the songs to be more than just music.
4- How To Worship God? Focus On God’s Word
When it is time to take a look at the scripture, then take a look at the scripture! We are so very fortunate to have the truth of God contained in the Bible that teaches us about our faith in Jesus Christ and how we should allow Him to shape our daily lives.
As a writer, a blogger, and someone who is using electronic media much of the time, I use my Bible app a lot on Sunday mornings. It’s that the best thing to do? Maybe sometimes. I love having the option of many translations at my fingertips. However, there is something about having the written word of God there with you during a sermon or Bible study so you can underline passages, make notes in the margin, etc.
Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.
Psalm 119:105
The word of God is the word of God regardless of whether it is print or digital media. So, the main thing is to open up that passage of scripture, dig deeper, and follow along with the pastor or teacher. You may have a great speaker as a pastor or a nominal speaker. Either way, scripture is powerful enough to speak directly to your heart. Open it up and take it in.
Check out our posts on “Study Bibles for Men” and “Study Bibles for Women.”
5- How to Worship God? Give With A Glad Heart
This is a section that the pastors will be glad to read, huh?? Your church needs financial resources for many great reasons. But, some people complain that the church asks for money too much. In some churches maybe that’s true.
However, our responsibility is to give faithfully with a glad heart – to be a cheerful giver.
“You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” 2 Corinthians 9:7
I understand that many people give electronically with a bank draft or other electronic methods. I think that’s a great idea! However, with one caveat. When it’s time for giving in the church gathering, focus on that time and what you have given or are giving, and have a heart of praise, thanksgiving, and gladness about that. Don’t give grudgingly, or reluctantly, or because you feel pressured – as the verse above says.
6- How to Worship God? Pray For Others During Worship
Do we focus enough on the needs of others during a worship gathering or more about ourselves? I’m afraid it’s the latter quite often. What if we just make ourselves aware of the people in the room and silently pray for them during the gathering?
You may know of struggles or hard times that a person may be experiencing and they may need the encouragement of the Holy Spirit during that gathering. Why not ask Him to do so?
We know that the Christian life is not a life without its struggles, so when we are sitting or standing in a room of other believers I think it is a great time just to breathe a quick prayer for them.
Ok, there are some ideas for corporate worship or your Sunday gatherings. Now let’s turn our attention to six ideas to help us in our private worship times.
How To Worship God – 6 Ideas To Help In Private Worship
True Worshipers of our good Father will make worship a lifestyle. Knowing how to worship God is not something that we only need for Sunday morning. It’s an amazing thought to know that our Father is waiting for us to engage Him in our daily lives at any moment of the day.
Let’s take a look at some ideas to encourage us to worship privately.
1- How To worship God? P.W.C. (Pray Without Ceasing)
I’m sure that I’ve mentioned this in other places on this website because it’s a very important concept. The Apostle, Paul instructed us to:
“pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:17-18
I used to think “How in the world can I pray always?” What this means is to let your mind be open to communication with God all day in every circumstance. This doesn’t mean that every thought has to be thought about God or scripture. You may be doing work that requires intense focus and concentration. However, as you do that, just be open to God, knowing that He is right there listening and speaking.
I used to teach students that today the Apostle Paul might just say, “Begin your conversation with God in the morning and just never hang up the phone.” I can understand that verse when I put it in that context. Know that the Holy Spirit is not in a faraway place. He is in you and ready to listen to the slightest thoughts toward God.
Also, remember that prayer when it’s coupled with certain types of fasts can really be powerful for your spiritual development/
When you think of it in those terms, surely we can worship God daily.
2- How to Worship God? By Serving Others
Serving others is an incredible act of worshiping God. In Paul’s letter to the Romans, he tells them to be living sacrifices.
“And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.”
Romans 12:1
When we give our entire selves to God – our mind, our body, our spirit, then one of the greatest acts of worshiping Jesus can be done by serving others.
Sometimes we get the impression that God is such a vain God that he continually wants us to offer Him verbal praises and Holy, Holy, Holy all day long. And certainly, God desires that we praise Him in that way.
However, some of the most genuine, and at the same time, creative ways to worship God is by serving others in the Name of Jesus. Serving is a form of worship that we forget about too many times.
3- How To Worship God? By Telling Others About Jesus
Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ is an absolutely wonderful way to worship God. Many times we don’t think of it that way, but it is.
If you are the most introverted person in the world, you can still find ways to tell people about your relationship with Christ. In today’s world, you have many opportunities to share your faith through a short personal story or testimony on social media. You can share a link to a faith-based song or simply do a post about what Christ has done in your life this week.
I love the way this verse reads:
Sing to the Lord; praise his name. Each day proclaim the good news that he saves. Publish his glorious deeds among the nations. Tell everyone about the amazing things he does.
Psalm 96:2-3
Okay, I’m not saying that we don’t share our faith verbally with others. We should. However, compared to 20 years ago so much of our communication is done electronically why would we not want to praise and worship God by sharing our faith online?
In whatever ways God asks you to share your faith with others, realize that it is an act of worship.
4- How to Worship God? Spending Time Alone With Him
To develop the kind of relationship with God that we want and need, it’s important that we set aside some prayer time (and listening time). Many teachers encourage us to start our day with a time alone with God. Ask God for the truth about what He wants in your life today.
Read a passage of scripture, pray for your day, and ask God to use you that day. It is really good for you to memorize passages of scripture. I used to keep index cards with my memory verse for the week in my car.
Grab a few minutes of time alone with God early in the day and look for other times in the day that might allow you additional time. Only you know your schedule and you know how much private worship time you can give to God. Just do it as much as you can. Don’t make it a duty or a law. Ask the Lord to make it your delight!
Don’t forget to delight in the love that He has for us. He is not there to check off a bunch of rules for us. Remember that the only way we can actually please Him is not with any of our good deeds anyway. it’s only because of what Jesus did that we can worship God daily in spirit and truth.
5- How to Worship God? Listen to Christian Music, Podcasts, Teachers, Etc.
We live in an overwhelming age of digital technology. To think of the privilege to have the access to information that we do – wow – it’s amazing. Of course, use it for your work, for communication, and for entertainment also.
However, allow the Holy Spirit to work through the electronic media to help you grow in Christ. We have a daily deluge of Christian music, podcasts, sermons, Bible studies, and wonderful teaching that we can hear.
Sure, it’s great to use digital media as a source of entertainment and fun (if used wisely). However, make plans to use it for your spiritual health as well. Pick out some Godly teachers who do podcasts. Not only listen to but worship along with your choice of Christian music. Or watch good bible teachers on YouTube.
There are a hundred other things we could probably list if we think about how the digital age can help encourage us in true worship. And as we listen to those Christian podcasts, music, and teachings, we revere Jesus by wanting to know Him more – and that is worship in itself!
So, be careful about what and to whom you listen, but, if possible, use digital resources to help you as you grow, study, and worship.
6- How To Worship God? Walk Every Day Acknowledging His Grace
There isn’t one thing on this page that you could do apart from the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. Without His grace, it doesn’t matter what kind of praise music we choose, the type of prayer we may pray, or the physical postures that we take when we do those things.
We may sing loud, with clapping hands, along with stringed instruments, drums, or keyboards – none of it is acceptable to God without the grace of God given to us in Christ Jesus, our Lord.
We can only come to Him in prayer by His grace. We can only feast from His word by His grace.
We have the incredibly majestic and greatest home-court advantage in the world as we are invited to “boldly” enter the throne room of grace to give everything to Him.
One of my favorite verses ever is found in Hebrews.
“So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”
Hebrews 4:16
John said it in a slightly different way:
“But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.”
John 1:12
There is only one way to worship. There is only one way to pray, give thanks, and walk in the truth of God’s word on a daily basis. That is by GRACE through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ.
Do I want to sin? No. Do, I want Him to be pleased with me? Yes. However, we can’t worship God in spirit and TRUTH without understanding that it is only by grace that we get to come into His presence anyway.
So, walk in the grace of God. Walk by faith, knowing that if you have received Him as Savior, you are loved and accepted by Him. Our worship is a loving act of adoration, praise, and fellowship with the Risen Lord!
Walk every day in light of, and in thanksgiving for the Grace of God because by His grace we can worship the God of the universe in Spirit and Truth.
Conclusion – God Wants An Active Relationship With Us
All of the things above are suggestions that have helped many people grow in their walk with the Lord. God wants our worship to be active and not only sitting or standing in a church once a week for worship.
Ask God what He wants for your life as you learn to worship Him in a greater way. He will let you know.
If you don’t have a relationship with God, we would love for you to take a closer look at starting a relationship with Him here.
God bless you as you seek to worship the King of Kings!
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