The Sunday worship disconnect is real. I see and hear about it all the time. I’ve been there! And one of the main causes of it can deceptively sneak past us if we aren’t on the alert.
So how about some self-probing questions: How does the God that I sing about in church compare to the God that I allow into my life Monday through Saturday? Is the God I say I worship on Sunday my everyday God?
For example . . .
If I say You are Lord, do I let Him have lordship over my life – thoughts, tongue, and actions? (Romans 14:8)
If I say You are my Healer/Restorer, do I invite and trust Him to work in my broken places (like my marriage, relationships, or grievings)? (1 Peter 5:6-10)
If I say You are Faithful, do I still walk in unbelief and anxiety? (Philippians 4:6-7)
If I say You are my Forgiver, do I fail to repent of sin or live in guilt? (1 John 1:9)
If I say You are Holy, does my life honor and reflect His holiness in every way? (1 Peter 1:15)
If I say You are Truth, do I still listen and walk according to lies? (Psalm 1:1-3)
If I say You are my Strength, do I still let weakness overwhelm me? (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)
If I say I surrender all, do I still hold tightly to things that I need to give to Him? (Romans 12:1-2)
If I say I love You, Lord, do I show that love everyday in my seeking, obeying, and serving Him? (1 John 14:21)
Is the God I say I worship on Sunday my everyday God?
“For in Him we live and move and exist” (Acts 17:28a).
Live and move and exist! I love that all-encompassing thought! I need to live and move and exist everyday out of faith in the all-powerful, living God of the Bible. Not just acknowledge all of His attributes on Sunday.
So if I feel a disconnect from God in my worship, it might be because there’s a discrepancy between the words I sing about Him and what my heart and mind say I believe about Him throughout the week.
The good news is that discrepancy can be turned around.
“You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart”
(Jeremiah 29:13).
And 1 John 5:14-15 says,
“This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask,
we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.”
Is it God’s will for you to know Him and have an intimate faith-walk with Him? Yes! Then ask for His help! Ask Him to give you the desire to live authentically before Him. Ask for His Holy Spirit to guide you – revealing the Father, shining light on His word, exposing sin (that breaks your fellowship with Him), and directing your steps. And respond in obedience to whatever He shows you.
Living a life where you diligently and continually strive to know and love your God is the most important step to authentic worship. That’s where the power lies.
And as you sing words to Him on Sunday morning (that someone else has chosen for you), be in a constant mental state of praying, God, help me to see You and grasp these truths about You. Reveal my unbelief and increase my faith.
When your words of worship flow out of a heart that truly knows and believes they are true, the disconnect will be gone. They will be words to the God you love and seek everyday. And they will be words that lead you to true and intimate worship of Him.
I was reminded of this song this past week in church. How perfect. Forever reign. Not just on Sundays.
If this Sunday morning worship disconnect is something you’d like to be better armed to battle, subscribe to my blog to receive my free ebook, 4 Keys to Intimate Sunday Morning Worship.
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