“Praise the Lord! I will thank the Lord with all my heart as I meet with his godly people” (Psalm 111:1 NLT).
The psalmist opens with the Hebrew word, “Hallelujah” (“Praise the LORD”)! With this exclamation of praise, he both announced his intention and invited the participation of his fellow worshipers. He was determined to praise the LORD with “all his heart.” Have you made the same determination?
In order to bring whole-hearted worship, we must ask the Holy Spirit to help us examine our hearts. Does He reveal fire and zeal for the Lord there? If not, fan your faith into flame! There is no room for half-hearted passion in worship. Does He see anxiety and worry? Turn it into prayer and petition. Empty your heart in prayer that you may be filled with peace and praise. Does He uncover doubt or discouragement in you? Speak truth from the promises of God’s Word to your doubts and instruct your soul to lift up its countenance to the Lord. Ask the Spirit to root out any place in your heart where you are not worship-ready.
And then, bring your worship with you when you go to church. Arrive with intent to express whole-hearted worship, in song, in prayers, in Scripture reading, in hearing the Word preached, in tithes and offerings, and in response.
Whole-hearted worship doesn’t happen on its own. We must be intentional about expressing worship with our whole heart! We must decide to always be worship-ready!
PRAYER: Dear Father, forgive us when we complain and offer half-hearted worship. Help us to fan into flame the passion that comes from You. Reveal to us where our hearts are not right with You, so that we may worship You fully. Fill us with fire and passion afresh by Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name, amen.