Preparing for Worship

I love to lead worship, but more importantly I love leading people into the throne room of God where they can praise him and thank him for all the wonderful things he has done for them. God has certainly gifted me with musical ability and leadership ability, but if I am not prepared myself, then leading people into worship becomes difficult. Psalm 100 is all about preparation. It tells us how we should approach God in worship, and where our hearts should be when we worship. “Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth! Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy. Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation” (1-5) We should enter into God’s presence with joyfulness, gladness, and thankfulness, not only because of what he has done, but because of who he is. God is good and he only does good. He created each one of us. He loves us greatly. He is always faithful to us. We belong to him. There are so many attributes of God that you can think upon to get your heart and your mind ready for worship. Think about all of this the next time you find yourself entering in to his presence to worship him. Prepare yourself before you worship him by thinking of all the ways that God has helped you and blessed you, but also think upon his goodness, faithfulness, and mercy; and let the praises pour out of you.