If you’re like me, things don’t always happen just because I know they should. I’m just distractible enough to need a plan to help me follow through with things. Even important things – like worship.
But we are also called to carry that worshipful attitude towards God throughout our day.
“Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; And let those who love Your salvation say continually, ‘Let God be magnified'” (Psalm 70:4).
Why “continually”? Because He is worthy – and because He says so! That’s reason enough.
It will also transform how our day plays out as we continually drive our focus to Him – remembering who He is and bowing our hearts before Him.
Here are some ideas to help us move in that direction – 10 ways to infuse worship into your routine:
1) Memorize scripture that declares who God is. Maybe this seems too obvious, but I know it’s a struggle for many. No matter where you are, the Holy Spirit can bring verses to mind to redirect your thoughts back to Him – and you can bow your heart in response. It’s powerful! Find it hard? Ask God for grace and a strengthened mind to follow through. He’ll do it!
“Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God” (Colossians 3:16).
[Ideas to get you started: 1 Chronicles 29:11-13; Psalm 62:5-8; Psalm 95:1-3,6-7]
2) Look for God’s hand and power in what’s around you. Ask Him to reveal Himself to you throughout the day, and watch Him take you up on that! Make a little note to yourself that says, Look for God. Whether it’s watching the sunrise, feeling the breeze on your face, or observing the kindness of a stranger, look for Him to reveal Himself to you. And then respond.
“O LORD, our Lord, How majestic is Your name in all the earth, Who have displayed Your splendor above the heavens! . . . When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained; What is man that You take thought of him, And the son of man that You care for him? Yet You have made him a little lower than God, And You crown him with glory and majesty!” (Psalm 8:1,3-5).
3) Invite God into your thoughts. Acknowledge and worship God for who He is for you in the things that are occupying your mind – good or difficult. What about God do you need to remember and bow to related to those things?
“It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High, proclaiming your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night, . . . senseless people do not know, fools do not understand, . . . But You, Lord, are forever exalted” (Psalm 92:1-2, 6, 8).
4) Listen to worship music. Expect this one? Actually, I know many Christians who never listen to Christian music, much less worship music. I find it powerful to fill my mind with songs that declare the truth of who God is. Listen to it in your car, at home, or on lunch breaks. Filling your mind with words proclaiming who He is helps us focus on truth, fight lies, and keep submissive hearts before Him.
“Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise” (James 5:13).
5) Begin regular worship times with your kids, moms and dads! Explain our need to tell God how amazing He is. Make up some motions to go with the songs – or learn some sign language! How about a worship dance party? God would get into that! It also shows your children what’s important to you and fills their minds with truth about God!
“Jesus replied. ‘Haven’t you ever read the Scriptures? For they say, ‘You have taught children and infants to give you praise'” (Matthew 21:16).
6) Choose a new Bible passage to focus on who God is. Write it on a note card and keep it with you to read throughout the day. Set phone alerts to read it if you need to. Finding different ways to keep God’s word before you keeps your focus on Him and fuels your worship. It’s life-changing!
“I will bow down toward Your holy temple And give thanks to Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your word according to all Your name” (Psalm 138:2).
7) Focus on a name or characteristic of God. (Here’s a list!) Bring it into your day and look for ways that aspect of God is important to what’s going on around you. Keep it where you can see it. What does it mean to you right now, this day, this minute that He is ______? Pick a name/characteristic for the week, or choose a different name to focus on every day. Powerful for your worship life!
“‘I love You, O LORD, my strength.’ The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. . . . The LORD lives, and blessed be my rock; And exalted be the God of my salvation (Psalm 18:1c-2, 46).
8) Acknowledge who God is in the events of your day as they unfold – good or bad. Start your morning by asking Him to bring His truths to mind in all you do throughout the day. Then use those opportunities to bow your heart to Him in worship.
“Arrogant foes are attacking me, O God; ruthless people are trying to kill me—they have no regard for you. But You, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness” (Psalm 86:14-15).
9) Write down favorite quotes about God that you can read throughout the day. Maybe they’re from a book you’re reading, a tweet you saw, or a blog you read. And respond in thanksgiving and worship to Him throughout the day for that truth.
“. . . that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine” (Romans 1:12).
Last, but definitely not least . . .
10) Make seeking God your top priority everyday. Nurture the soil of your heart with time in His word, prayer, and personal worship. Keep short accounts – repenting when convicted of sin – so nothing stands in the way of your relationship with God or worship of Him. That’s the only way you can guarantee living a life that consistently glorifies Him. And it will compel you to passionately pursue a life of worship.
“With all my heart I have sought You; Do not let me wander from Your commandments. Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You” (Psalm 119:10-11).
Ok, BONUS TIP!
11) As you settle in for the evening, thank God for revealing Himself and carrying you through the day. Acknowledge His hand and power in the specific ways you saw and let your heart respond in worship.
“It is good to give thanks to the LORD And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning And Your faithfulness by night” (Psalm 92:1-2).
It’s a moment-by-moment choice we all face to let God have His rightful place in the center of our lives and worship – to seek Him first and not second. Living out of that focus and passion will uncover for us the inexhaustible resource of purpose, power, and transformation that God reserves for His true worshipers. And above all, it gives Him the glory that He so deserves!
“My mouth is filled with Your praise And with Your glory all day long” (Psalm 71:8).
What changes will you make to create a lifestyle of worship? Or what other ideas do you have that work well for you?
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