Today's Scripture readings: Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 or Isaiah 58:1-12; Psalm 51:1-17; 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10; Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. --Matthew 6:6
“Singing makes me feel happy, and I get a lot out of it. I feel closer to God when I sing – especially in church.”
She was a very sincere teenager who was pushing back at my teaching. We had been studying our role in worship. In our class discussion, I had noted that during worship services we are giving of ourselves when we sing and pray. Worship is meant for God who receives our gifts; the worship hour is not about us. She took that to mean we are not supposed to benefit from worship times.
After a pause, I started over. We are certainly to benefit from the worship of God, but those gains are the by-product rather than the reason to approach the throne. We sing because we want to honor and glorify God. We pray because we want to develop our relationship with Jesus. We give of ourselves freely and without expectation of acknowledgement. Our goal is not to get that pat on the back that the choir sounded great today. The end result is not self-satisfaction because others like to hear our pretty prayers. We give ourselves in worship because we love, and in that giving and loving, worldly approval is worthless.
The other side to that coin is that when we glorify God and seek personal connection with Jesus, we are blessed. When we sing or pray, study or listen, fast or give and we do those things with a holiness of heart, God provides unmatched approval.
Jesus references hypocrites in the Gospel of Matthew – rather, he warns not to follow their example. Don’t do good things just so others can see you. If your motive is to receive praises, then those human praises are your reward.
When you pray big flowery prayers just to show off or you sing hoping others enjoy it enough to applaud, your purpose is flawed. Lift your voice for the glory of God only and nothing else. Go into a private space to pray so no one hears but God. Allow your spiritual life to grow without concern for comparison to others, but only for the benefit of adoring Jesus.
As we enter into this Lenten season of fasting, praying and giving, may you be blessed as you offer your gifts of glory to God.
Holy God, receive my praise as my gift to you. Let me offer it quietly, seeking no other eyes or ears but yours. Amen.
But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. --Matthew 6:6
“Singing makes me feel happy, and I get a lot out of it. I feel closer to God when I sing – especially in church.”
She was a very sincere teenager who was pushing back at my teaching. We had been studying our role in worship. In our class discussion, I had noted that during worship services we are giving of ourselves when we sing and pray. Worship is meant for God who receives our gifts; the worship hour is not about us. She took that to mean we are not supposed to benefit from worship times.
After a pause, I started over. We are certainly to benefit from the worship of God, but those gains are the by-product rather than the reason to approach the throne. We sing because we want to honor and glorify God. We pray because we want to develop our relationship with Jesus. We give of ourselves freely and without expectation of acknowledgement. Our goal is not to get that pat on the back that the choir sounded great today. The end result is not self-satisfaction because others like to hear our pretty prayers. We give ourselves in worship because we love, and in that giving and loving, worldly approval is worthless.
The other side to that coin is that when we glorify God and seek personal connection with Jesus, we are blessed. When we sing or pray, study or listen, fast or give and we do those things with a holiness of heart, God provides unmatched approval.
Jesus references hypocrites in the Gospel of Matthew – rather, he warns not to follow their example. Don’t do good things just so others can see you. If your motive is to receive praises, then those human praises are your reward.
When you pray big flowery prayers just to show off or you sing hoping others enjoy it enough to applaud, your purpose is flawed. Lift your voice for the glory of God only and nothing else. Go into a private space to pray so no one hears but God. Allow your spiritual life to grow without concern for comparison to others, but only for the benefit of adoring Jesus.
As we enter into this Lenten season of fasting, praying and giving, may you be blessed as you offer your gifts of glory to God.
Holy God, receive my praise as my gift to you. Let me offer it quietly, seeking no other eyes or ears but yours. Amen.