“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.” Psalm 150:6

We were created with a need deep within us that desires to worship and to express ourselves to our Creator. We can observe that every nation, tribe and culture on the planet engages in some form of worship. As Christians, we have come to know God through the grace and forgiveness of Jesus Christ, and we worship Him. One way we worship Him is through songs of thanksgiving and praise. Singing these songs from the heart to God is often referred to as “worship.”

“...Come before His presence with singing…Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise..” Psalm 100:2,4

Most church meetings are divided into two parts: singing of spiritual songs and the teaching of the Bible. The time of music and singing is called worship. This time is a time of preparation for our hearts as we get ready to meet with God and to study the Bible and hear what God wants to say to us through His Word. We live in a world full of distractions that draw our attention away from God, and in worship we seek to prepare our hearts and turn our attention back to the Lord. As we sing songs about Him and His character and His work in our lives, we are more focused to listen to and receive the things that are of spiritual importance. And as we open up our hearts to Him, He is able to touch us, minister to us, and refresh us spiritually.

“Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.” Hebrews 13:15

Worship is also an opportunity for us to give to God the glory due to His name. There is nothing practical or material that we can give to God, but when we express our devotion and our hearts to Him, we give to God something which is valuable to Him. Our songs become an expression to God of thanksgiving and praise. Thanksgiving is expressing to God our gratitude for what He has done. Praising Him is declaring who He is in His wonderful character and His never-changing glory. When we worship we are taking the time to acknowledge God and expressing our praise as an offering.  

“…present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” Romans 12:1

Singing songs is just part of what it means to worship. As a Christian, it becomes my desire to see God honored through every aspect of my life. So every part of my life becomes an expression of worship to God. Obeying His Word, living a holy life, making godly choices in my personal life, giving of my finances, speaking in a way that honors God, using my gifts and talents for the Lord’s glory…these are all ways that I can worship God and bring glory to His name.