Tag Archives: Worship Preparation

Why are you here?

Call to Worship – Return to the Lord

We come not for a show. Not for noise. Not for programs or performances.
We come for You, O Lord.
You alone are our portion. You alone are our prize.
“Whom have I in heaven but You? And with You, I desire nothing on earth.” (Psalm 73:25, NASB).
If You do not lead, we will not move. If You do not speak, we will not pretend.
“If Your presence does not go with us, do not lead us up from here.” (Exodus 33:15, NASB).
Apart from You, we are lost—wandering, thirsty, broken in the dark.
“Apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5, NASB).

But You, O Lord, have done great things for us!
You took our sin and nailed it to the cross.
“He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21, NASB).
You crushed the power of death and rose in glory.
“But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep.” (1 Corinthians 15:20, NASB).
You broke every chain, tore every veil, and silenced the accuser.
“Having disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.” (Colossians 2:15, NASB).
You poured Yourself out—completely, utterly—for us.
“He emptied Himself by taking the form of a bond-servant… He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:7–8, NASB).

So let us come today and pour ourselves out before You.
Let us break our jars at Your feet, like the woman with the alabaster vial.
“She broke the vial and poured it over His head.” (Mark 14:3, NASB).
Let the fragrance of surrender fill the room.
“She has anointed My body beforehand for the burial. Truly I say to you, wherever the gospel is preached… what this woman has done will also be told.” (Mark 14:8–9, NASB).
Not holding back. Not measuring. Not waiting.
You are here, Lord—and You are worthy of it all.
“For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.” (Matthew 18:20, NASB).

We do not seek a structure. We seek the Shepherd.
“I am the good shepherd, and I know My own, and My own know Me.” (John 10:14, NASB).
We do not follow religion. We follow the Lamb.
“These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes.” (Revelation 14:4, NASB).
We do not chase performance. We pursue presence.
And Your presence is here.
“Yet You are holy, You who are enthroned upon the praises of Israel.” (Psalm 22:3, NASB).
We bow low. We lift high. We yield everything to You.
“Therefore I urge you… to present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God.” (Romans 12:1, NASB).

Yeshua is risen. The King has triumphed.
The serpent is crushed. The grave is empty.
“The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.” (Romans 16:20, NASB).
“He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said.” (Matthew 28:6, NASB).
The throne is occupied. The gates of hell are falling.
“Upon this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.” (Matthew 16:18, NASB).
All authority belongs to You—forever.
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.” (Matthew 28:18, NASB).

So we worship not to be seen, but to see You.
“We would see Jesus.” (John 12:21, KJV).
Not to impress, but to adore.
“Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness; Tremble before Him, all the earth.” (Psalm 96:9, NASB).
Not to receive, but to respond.
“We love, because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19, NASB).

In the name of Yeshua, the risen Lord, we declare: Victory belongs to the Lord—and He is here!
“Salvation, glory, and power belong to our God.” (Revelation 19:1, NASB).

See Also

The Glory Within Us

Beloved, the glory of God dwells not only within us but also in His house—His sanctuary. Scripture calls us to gather in His courts, arriving with thanksgiving and hearts prepared to worship. This is not a mere tradition but a holy privilege and vital act of obedience that honors God. “The Lord loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob [Israel]” (Psalm 87:2, AMP). God cherishes His house, where His people unite to glorify Him and experience His presence together.

“Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, bless and praise His name” (Psalm 100:4, AMP). God’s house is a place of joy, transformation, and unity. It is where we encounter His presence and glorify His name together as His people. The psalmist rejoices, “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord!’” (Psalm 122:1, AMP).

However, our worship should not be careless or hurried. “Guard your steps and focus on what you are doing as you go to the house of God” (Ecclesiastes 5:1, AMP). Punctuality and preparation show reverence, reflecting that God is worthy of our best, not what is left over. Arriving on time with a heart ready to praise is a declaration that He comes first in our lives.

The New Testament affirms the importance of gathering. “Let us not forsake our meeting together, as is the habit of some, but encourage one another” (Hebrews 10:25, AMP). Worship is not isolated; it is communal. Together, we strengthen one another and build His kingdom.

Jesus Himself modeled this for us. As a young boy, He said, “Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?” (Luke 2:49, AMP). Throughout His ministry, He faithfully went to the synagogue, reminding us of the value of prioritizing worship in God’s house (Luke 4:16).

Beloved, let us echo the psalmist: “Better is one day in Your courts than a thousand [anywhere else]” (Psalm 84:10, AMP). Commit to arriving early, prepared, and with thanksgiving in your heart. In His presence, we find joy, peace, and transformation. God is waiting to meet with you in His house—don’t miss the blessing!

How Can We Arrive Ready to Worship?

Worship begins long before we enter the sanctuary. Arriving ready to worship requires a heart prepared to honor God and free from distractions. Here are some practical steps:

  1. Prepare your heart. Take time to pray before coming to church. Ask God to help you focus on Him and to cleanse your heart of anything that might hinder your worship (Psalm 139:23-24).
  2. Plan ahead. Set aside time to prepare physically and mentally so you can arrive on time and without rushing (Ecclesiastes 5:1).
  3. Come with expectation. Remember, you are meeting with the King of kings. Approach worship with anticipation of encountering His presence (Psalm 27:4).
  4. Reflect on His goodness. Think about God’s blessings and faithfulness throughout the week, and let that fuel your thanksgiving (Psalm 103:1-5).
  5. Eliminate distractions. Silence your phone, leave worries at the door, and focus your mind on God alone (Isaiah 26:3).

Questions to Ask Yourself:

  • Am I arriving at church with a heart prepared to meet God?
  • Am I making worship a priority in my life by planning to be punctual and engaged?
  • Do I come with gratitude, ready to praise God for who He is and what He has done?
  • Is there anything distracting me from fully focusing on God during worship?
  • How can I better prepare myself throughout the week to honor God in His house?

A Prayer of Preparation:

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the privilege of worshiping You in Your house. Help me to prepare my heart to meet You with reverence and joy. Remove any distractions or burdens that keep me from focusing on You. Teach me to honor You with my time, my attitude, and my actions. Fill me with thanksgiving and anticipation as I come into Your presence. May my worship bring glory to Your name and draw me closer to You.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

“Surely goodness and mercy and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell forever in the house and presence of the Lord” (Psalm 23:6, AMP). Let this be the posture of your heart as you enter the house of the Lord!

See Also