A Prayer for God’s Transforming Presence in Our Worship
The secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!” (1 Cor. 14:25 NIV)
Gracious Father, I’m not afraid for the secrets in my heart to be laid bare today— to be openly exposed and revealed. For I’m confident that you will deal with me not according to my sin but according to the unsearchable riches of the gospel. Other- wise, I would surely fear and despair of such exposure. For in the gospel I find the generosity and kindness of your heart “laid bare” and poured out— your welcome and provision for rebels, fools, and idolaters just like me.
Indeed, the gospel is the sanctuary where my heart cries the loudest, “God is re- ally among you!” Only the gospel of your grace frees me to fall down and worship you in humility, not humiliation; in gratitude, not groveling; in repentant faith, not uncertain penance; in the assurance of Christ’s righteousness, not the condemnation of my unrighteousness.
Father, I pray our whole church family will enjoy this same freedom—especially as we gather each Lord’s Day to worship you. In a day when we seem to need more gadgets and gimmicks to create “worship experiences,” free us from needing anything more than the gospel to worship you the way you deserve and delight to be worshiped.
Teach us how to be stewards of technology, not slaves to technology. Teach us how to be creative, not cute; faithful, not manipulative; simple, not spectacular. Reel us back in anytime we move away from the “sincere and pure devotion to Christ” (2 Cor. 11:3). And let us never forget that you are not seeking “great worship” but true worshipers— those who worship you “in the Spirit and in truth” (John 4:23 NIV).
May our worship be so saturated with the truth and grace of the gospel that nonbelievers will be overwhelmed with your presence and captured by your love. We pray in Jesus’ most wonderful and worthy name.
Amen.