Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Rom. 12:1-2 (NIV)
Worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh. Phil. 3:3b (ESV)
Dear heavenly Father, thank you for the privilege of corporate worship. Thank you for the honor and joy of gathering with my sisters and brothers to respond to every good thing you have given us in Christ. Free us to give you the worship you deserve and in which you delight. It’s about you Father, not us—it’s all about you, the Lord Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.
So grant us a fresh and full gaze of your mercies, lavished on us in the gospel. We want to offer you a sacrifice of praise, with everything we have and are. Father, you are worthy of so much more that mere lip worship; we want to declare your worth with our minds, hearts, and bodies. So consume us afresh, overwhelm us again, and liberate us for your praise.
Send your Holy Spirit, for our worship is in vain apart from the Spirit’s work and presence. Free us to glory in Christ Jesus—to boast and exult, rejoice and rest in everything Jesus is, and everything he has accomplished for us. Turn our theology into doxology; our singing into adoration; and our listening into liberated living. We put no confidence in our anything, Father, but humbly and expectantly rely upon your work in our hearts and midst.
May our worship today be a sweet aroma to you, and a transforming power for us. Send us forth with your benediction, into a week of living and loving to your glory. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ exalted and loving name.