Worship is a Stepping Stone to Prayer

I was walking home from the store the other day and I had my headphones on listening to some worship music. It was a beautiful breezy day and no one was around so I felt comfortable singing out loud rather than mouthing along to the music. As I sang praises to God, I looked around at the fields surrounding me with its tall sun burnt grass swaying in the wind. I watched the birds flying around from tree to tree, playing with one another, and I'm quite certain, singing their own praises to God. I saw puffy white clouds dancing their way across the deep blue sky and I began to get choked up as I sang the song, "Open The Eyes Of My Heart LORD." It was a time of true worship and I was overwhelmed with the majesty of God and His love for me. As I walked I noticed that I transitioned at some point from singing praises and worshiping God to tearfully praying and seeking His wisdom and guidance. The change was so seamless that I didn't recognize it until it had already happened.

Worship is an awesome springboard for prayer because it takes us away from self, redirects our attention to the Almighty, and makes our focus the glory of God. We are submitting ourselves to His Lordship and revealing the simple truth that it's not about us.

"Exalt the LORD our God; worship at his footstool! Holy is He!" Psalms 99:5(ESV)

Worship helps us to pray by giving us a reason to pray. When we look beyond our circumstances and gaze at His holiness, we can't help but be in awe of His Majesty! Look at His creation...

"The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork." Psalms 19:1(ESV)

"Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker!" Psalms 95:6(ESV)

If that's not enough, look at what He has done for us...

"But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8(ESV)

Worship helps us to pray by building our faith. We acknowledge His sovereignty and Lordship over us and place our trust in His care, no matter what is going on or what we may hear.

"He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord." Psalms 112:7(ESV)

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, 'My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.' For He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence." Psalms 91:1-3(ESV)

The book of Psalms is a great example of worship leading to prayer. It is one hundred and fifty chapters of worship and praise to God that fills your heart and prepares you for prayer. If you haven't spent a lot of time there, I highly recommend you do. Read a Psalm a day along with your regular Bible reading. You will not be disappointed.

"Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!" Psalms 150:1-6(ESV)

Repent and believe before it's too late

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