Preparing Our Heart's for Worship

The early church started a rich tradition that has carried over into the centuries—a day set aside for the believers to come together and worship the founder, Jesus Christ. 

We all know as we read the book of Acts the congregation met on the first day of the week to partake of the Lord’s Supper (Acts 20:7). They brought their tithes to the storehouse, which was also known as the gathering place (1 Corinthians 16:2). They prayed, listened to the apostle’s doctrine preached, and they fellowshipped with each other as well. This time was always held, and still is, as a day sacred to those who are of the household of faith. However, we don’t have to wait until we get to the auditorium or classroom on Sunday morning to worship the Lord. Or wait until we get to the life group or Bible Study on a Tuesday or Wednesday evening. We can begin the process of personal reflection and worship long before we arrive at the facility that houses the church. I came across this list a few weeks ago, and I thought it would make for an informative article.  

Pray 

As you drive to the facility for corporate worship, pray diligently. Pray that folks who haven’t been coming will show up on this day. Pray for folks to be stirred to the point they run down the aisle and put Christ on in baptism. Pray for your preacher to “speak the oracles of God” (1 Peter 4:11). Pray for all the teachers, volunteers, musicians, nursery workers, etc., to arrive safely and on time and totally prepared to receive God’s bountiful victories for the day. Start your worship on the way by interceding for the service in prayer. 

Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you. (2 Thessalonians 3:1) 

Bring your Bible 

When you leave the house, don’t forget your Bible. As much as I love the fact that the church I attend has the sermon outline on the big screen and in the bulletin, I find that I need to follow along in my own Bible and visualize it for myself. Plus, I can write in the margin when the preacher makes a memorable statement—one I can reflect on much later when I read the passage again. 

These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily whether these things were so. (Acts 17:11) 

Arrive on time 

Plan your Sunday morning so that you get to church in plenty of time. I am always amazed at how families can get to work, school, and extra-curricular activities every day on time. Their child is never late for the starting line-up to be announced at their child’s baseball game. Dad and Mom are never late for work. Sunday rolls around, and this same orderly family stumbles into service late and disheveled. Since we never plan on being late for all the other things in our lives, let’s not plan on being late for the greatest event of the week — worship! Lay out the kids’ clothes the night before. Everyone sets their own alarms. You can’t have a spirit of gladness if you are rushed, frustrated, late, and flustered. Jesus was a busy man, but because He lived a “grace-paced” life, He was always mentally, physically, and spiritually prepared to worship. 

I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go into the house of the Lord.” (Psalm 122:1) 

Sing to the Lord 

Listen to your favorite Christian music as you get ready to come to church. One thing I started to do when I would get up early to prepare my mind and soul for worship was to listen to Christian music. I routinely listen to Christian music throughout the week, but Sunday morning, I have some specific praise and worship songs that really motivate and prepare me for the time with God and His people. 

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. (Psalm 100:4) 

Spread the gospel. Talk up Jesus and the church before Sunday morning. We must be about conversational evangelism to our friends, neighbors, and the folks we encounter throughout the week. How exciting would it be to think of all the people who might be in the worship service this Sunday based on the people you invited throughout the week? The Parable of the Sower in Matthew 13 speaks of a farmer who went out and liberally and with great intentionality sowed seed. It was tossed everywhere. Not all of it sprang up or matured, but some of it did. 

Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying, “Behold a sower went out to sow … but others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. (Matthew 13:1, 8) 

These are some helpful tips to prepare you for a wonderful time of fellowship and praise, even before you pull up in the church facility driveway. It’s my humble prayer that these ideas will make for a much more meaningful experience for you and your family.