Praying with Understanding

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Prayer, I believe is a conversation between us and God, either we are giving thanks, making requests or even asking questions. Yet it is not uncommon to feel like a prayer could be such a complicated and maybe even a delicate conversation to have, after all, it's God we are talking to here. There is no way that wouldn't be somehow daunting! I remember learning to pray as a child during family devotions and how nervous I'd get, mumbling through my words, hardly able to get anything coherent out. My auntie, bless her, would jump in the middle of one of my many long pauses to rescue me and carry on with the prayer but once we were done, my uncle would almost chide her for not giving me a chance to learn and develop my confidence. I didn't blame her; I found those long pauses very uncomfortable too! So, I usually understand when people tell me they do not know how to pray and would prefer others to pray for them or they'll just avoid it altogether and some even ask if
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In the Spirit and in Truth

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What is the true meaning of worship?

I asked myself this question while listening to some lovely worship songs including one by the late gospel singer, Osinachi Nwachukwu. I was almost in tears listening to her and her twin sister sing in such deep and powerful worship.

I have wondered all through this past week about people within churches or other religious spaces, who hide their fears and pain behind worship? Was the depth of this late singer's worship a reflection of the pain she was in or did it just take her away from the fear of the reality she was living? I don't know but I can't help but wonder sadly.

"God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth."
John 4:24 NIV
Worship is so much more than the songs we sing or listen to. It is a place we go to in our spirit where there is no hiding from God. This is because we appear right before Him, in all the truth of our creation - perfection, just as Adam and Eve were before they disobeyed God and sin entered the world.

When Jesus chose these two conditions of worship - spirit and truth, as always, His words conveyed the exact message He wanted out there. Not only was the response to the woman he was talking to at that time but to everyone of us even as at today, especially those of us who may have questions about true worship. His words were meant to answer a query regarding the 'location' of worship but His answer included the 'nature' of worship and from all indication, that is even more important.
This means there is a possibility of not worshipping God the right way, or why else would Jesus feel the need to educate us on how we are to worship? The bible says all scripture is God-breathed and useful for a number of things including teaching. His words are full of the spirit and life.(ref John 6:63)

When what we have with God is a loving relationship, not one borne out of fear (a spirit God said clearly in His word that He has not given to us); duty or obligation to a professed religion (wanting to appear to have done what we say we conform to); our worship then becomes an intimate act of devotion.
It becomes a love language, a lifestyle, our mode of thinking and our whole expression.
It reflects on our daily living because the spirit, soul and body become one in this act.

Fear and worship can never be a good mix because it shows a lack of confidence in God and somehow, fear always finds a way to the fore. A life of worship to God is a life of power, one that comes with a clear understanding of God's will and purpose. I say this from a place of knowledge, as someone who has had a season of living in fear.

"The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?"
Psalms 27:1 NIV

I have said this a few times on here that we are not created to live in fear. Yes, life may have it's many unknowns and come with many uncertainties but we shouldn't be afraid of them. We must boldly face them and not cower in terror and say we are hiding under the shadow of the Almighty. Yes, that is a perfect place to hide and counter whatever is bringing terror into our lives. We must have the courage to face whatever or whoever it is that is allowing fear creep into our lives.

If it is a person that is allowing fear into our lives, they are working outside the will of God and we must not condone their actions, either with silence or by not allowing for consequences or accountability.

"Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you."
2 Corinthians 13:11 NIV

The advice in the bible verse above, encouraging us to live in peace is doable, we just have to be intentional about it and allow God help us through it.
My own little advice to go with this thought I'm sharing today is for us to pause and check that our worship is right. The hands raised up to God and the face streaming with tears from our eyes must be a passionate expression of worship to God (spirit & truth) and not as a result of the sadness of living below par to what we know God has intended for us through His word.
Also, let's make certain that those hands we are raising in worship to God are clean and holy. It is quite common during worship for hands to go up as an expression of honour and love to God, almost like a reflex action. So please, they must not be the hands that have abused a spouse, partner or anyone!

"Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully. He will receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation."
Psalm 24:3-5 ESV

We all have the power to make a positive change in our lives. We can start by identifying what we are doing wrong and then make a decision to stop and start making amends. This is the message behind the death and resurrection of Christ that we celebrate everyday not just during Easter. Jesus paid the price, we are ALL  bought by His precious blood and salvation is free to anyone who chooses to believe in Him and make Him their Lord and Saviour.

In summary and in the spirit of the truth behind the Easter message, be a good person and be kind to others. Kindness on its own is an act of worship to God.

Love & Light
Ige

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