Worship: The Ultimate DIY Project

Joe McKeever

Joe McKeeverhas been a disciple of Jesus Christ more than 65 years, been preaching the gospel more than 55 years, and has been writing and cartooning for Christian publications more than 45 years. He…
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Joe McKeever has been a disciple of Jesus Christ more than 65 years, been preaching the gospel more than 55 years, and has been writing and cartooning for Christian publications more than 45 years. He blogs at www.joemckeever.com.
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Published Jul 30, 2019

man with arms out wide, smiling, head back towards sky in praise

Walk prudently when you go to the house of God; and draw near to hear rather than to give the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they do evil. – Ecclesiastes 5:1

Offer to God thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High. Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you and you shall glorify Me. – Psalm 50:14-15

If your primary worship takes place on Sunday morning at church, you are doing it all wrong and, in all likelihood, you’re endlessly frustrated.

If the main worship you do takes place on Sunday morning at church, you’re putting too heavy a burden on your church’s worship leaders. They cannot do for you in one hour what you should be doing for yourself seven days a week.

If the only worship you do takes place on Sunday morning at church, even at best you are anemic and undernourished, and will often find yourself faltering during the week.

If your worship is something restricted to Sunday morning in the house of God, you need to enlarge your concept of worship, your love for God, and your understanding of yourself.

Worship is not something done for you. Worship is not something done to you. Worship is something you do yourself.

Worship may be the ultimate do-it-yourself project.

After all…

You decide whether to worship.

You decide how to worship.

You decide Whom you worship.

And when it’s all over, if you did not worship, then you should have no trouble deciding whose fault that is.

“O Lord our God, little children praise Thee perfectly. And so would we. And so would we.” (The Majesty and Glory of Your Name, Sandi Patti)

When I awaken in the middle of the night, whether I get up or not, I will worship the Lord “who giveth songs in the night.”

When I rise in the morning, I will turn my heart toward my Heavenly Father and give Him thanks.

I will give Him myself, and give Him this day for whatever purposes He has.

As I go about my business throughout the day, I will worship in brief moments here and there, now and then. I will send up prayers for those who come to mind and prayer for myself to deal with whatever I’m facing.

I will try to make some time to pull aside and open the Word and read it, whether for an hour or two minutes. With that in mind, I will have a definite place to leave the Bible so when I sit there, my mind automatically goes to worship.

During the week, among the objects of my prayers will be my pastor and church leadership. The Father alone knows all they face; their struggles, decisions, criticism, and challenges.

Then, on Sunday as I enter God’s House, I will come intending to give rather than to receive.

I will give an offering. I will give greetings to all I see and a hug as is appropriate. I will lift my voice in praise and turn my heart to God during the prayers. I will listen to the sermon with an open Bible. And if I decide the message was not for me today, I will pray for those for whom it was intended, that the Spirit would use it for His purposes.

And I will give thanks to those who lead our church.

I will not (God help me, I determine never to) walk out of church criticizing the music, the preacher, a worship leader, a teacher, or volunteer. I will never say “I was not fed today,” for I did not come to be fed. I’ve been grazing successfully all week and need very little when we gather on the Lord’s Day. I will never say “That music did not bless me,” for if it didn’t it’s rarely the fault of the singer or musician.