Worship
Daily / Family Worship
Worship is not just for large group gatherings. You can participate in worship any day of the week and even regularly with your family. Here are a few suggestions for this week:
Praise
Reading a Psalm can help prepare your heart for worship.
Here is a Psalm we focused on a few months ago:
”How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God. Even the sparrow finds a home, a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever singing your praise!” - Psalm 84:1-4
Penitence
Penitence is the sense of sorrow for having done something wrong. The Bible explains that “all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory” (Romans 3:23), and a proper response is confession (saying “I did this”) and repentance (saying, “I’m sorry”).
Here is a short prayer of confession and repentance that acknowledges our sin and our sense of regret and sorrow for our actions - and our desire to do something different.
God promises that He will forgive our sins, through the work of His Son Jesus. Take comfort in these words:
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
“God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
“If anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation (the atoning sacrifice) for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. “ (I John 2:1-2)
Proclamation
God brings His truth to us through His Word (the Bible).
At our recent gathering we have been focused on Luke chapter 1 and 2.
Take some time to read, reflect and pray over these passages.
Prayer
Jesus used these words (The Lord’s Prayer) as He taught His disciples how to pray. We are encouraged to take “every anxiety” to Him because our Heavenly Father cares for us (I Peter 5:7).
Spend some time in prayer - taking your needs and the needs of others to God.
Questions for Reflection
To help with reflection: use one of the Handouts from our messages or one of The Five Practices of our Church.
As you think about your day (or your week):
What has been challenging in following Jesus? What has been difficult in fully embracing His grace to you?
How have you been encouraged by Jesus? What truth has “come alive” or been refreshed?
What else have you learned by praying through Daily Worship today?
What areas of your life would you like to see God change or heal?
After reflecting on these questions, take your needs and concerns to the Lord in prayer.