Prayer - Adoration

Adoration is being with God now and for ever.

And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honour and glory and might forever and ever!” - Revelation 5:13

Have you ever attended a Concert, where you felt yourself transported beyond yourself, where you where captivated by the glorious music.  For me there is one piece of music that places me beyond; the 2nd Symphony by Mahler, also known as the Resurrection Symphony. Out of the initial funeral motif, Mahler move’s to a triumphant end in the final movement.  I wonder if he like John, the writer of Revelation, he had a similar vision of all creation glorifying God. 

However, there is a significant difference between being a passive member of the audience than a playing member of the orchestra.

A minister once asked whether his congregation thought of gathered worship as being more like a concert hall or a banquet hall. If it’s a concert hall, we show up as passive observers and critics, eager to have the itches of our preferences and felt needs scratched. A banquet hall, by contrast, is a communal gathering. We come hungry and in community, ready to participate and share the experience with one another.

So do we see each other as Worship Service Participant or Just a Spectator?

Worship involves an intentional offering of sacrifice to God. Hebrews 13:5 instructs us to “offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.” But how can we praise God if we aren’t even thinking about him? If we expect to truly worship God on Sunday morning, then we need to prepare both our hearts and minds ahead of time to engage during every part of the worship service, from the congregational singing to the sermon. How can we do that?

Father, please let Your ears be attentive to our prayer for we desire to honour Your Name.  Touch the hearts of those who do not fear You and cause them to love You with all their hearts, souls, and strength.  Remove their stony hearts and give them new hearts that are submissive to You.  Holy Spirit, cause us to hunger and thirst for Your righteousness so that we will be filled.  Teach us how to revere Your Holy Name in true holiness.  Fill us with comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of the Father’s will so that we may conduct our lives in a manner worthy of Christ. Help us to walk in the spirit of humility and to think more of others than we do ourselves. Amen