Time of Preparation
Begin by taking inventory of your surroundings. Are things in your vicinity conducive to a time of personal worship? Are there any changes or adjustments (turning off tech, making yourself comfortable) you need to make before you begin?
When you are ready, take a moment to sit in silence and prepare your heart for worship. Ask God to clear away any distractions that might keep you from being truly present in this moment.
After some time of silence, listen to this simple song of repeated prayer that invites us to be still. If you wish to sing along, the words are easy to learn:
Be still
Be still and know that
In stillness and quiet
That I am the Lord
Let go, let go of your worries
Only one thing is needed
Be still and know
Be still and know
CCLI Song # 7146952
Jeremy Riddle © 2020 Vindicate Publishing; Watershed Music Publishing
SONG OF PREPARATION: Know (Be Still) (lyrics above)
Encounter With God
In this first movement, we simply seek to see God for who He is: the One worthy of worship.
”And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.”
—Exodus 34:6 (NIV)
After Israel's catastrophic failure with the golden calf — a betrayal that comes remarkably early in the covenant relationship — God does something unexpected. Rather than abandoning the people, he passes before Moses and proclaims his own name and character:
"The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.”
Think about it for a moment—Israel has just made an idol and worshiped it at the foot of the very mountain where God’s covenant was given. They have failed miserably. And yet it is at precisely this moment, not before it, that God chooses to reveal himself as "abounding in love and faithfulness."
Love and faithfulness are God’s character, not a conditional response to our behavior. They are simply who he is. This is a truth worthy of lifting up in praise and wonder.
SONG OF ENCOUNTER: The Steadfast Love of the Lord (lyrics here)
Confession
In this second movement, we simply see ourselves for who we are: people who need God.
“Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?”
—Romans 2:4 (NLT)
In some churches it’s no longer a common thing to find a moment of confession in the morning service. For some it’s seen as “negative” or “shaming,” so it’s avoided.
The real shame is how easily we forget that God’s desire to bring our brokenness to him is not for our punishment and not to increase our feelings of guilt. It is out of his desire to see us fully restored, fully ourselves. It is his steadfast love for us that desires us to be free and forgiven.
His kindness leads us to repentance.
Spend some time with this short prayer adapted from chapter 9 of the book of Daniel. Read it slowly and intentionally. Sit in silence for a while after each phrase. If you desire, write out your own version of it to pray in your own devotional life. It is a good reminder that the invitation to confess our need is rooted in the goodness and love of God.
O God, hear my prayer and pleading.
I come to you not because I deserve help, but because of your great mercy.
Lord, hear me. Lord, forgive me.
Assurance
In this third movement, we receive the good news of the gospel: we are forgiven.
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
—Romans 5:8 (NIV)
Of all the images in Scripture that portray the steadfast love of God, one that always catches me off guard is the image of the father running to meet his wayward son in Luke chapter 15. The father has every reason to consider his son dead and forgotten, and yet the implication in the story is that he has been awaiting his boy’s return, looking in the distance for his familiar silhouette to come over the horizon. As he runs to his son, arms open wide, we are given a glimpse of God’s forgiveness and grace that is real, relatable, and powerful.
Forgiveness is real. God’s love is faithful and sure.
SONG OF ASSURANCE: O Come to the Altar (lyrics here)
Commission
In this final movement, we are encouraged and equipped for the work God would have us do.
“Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.”
—1 John 4:11-12 (NIV)
There have been many words written on our calling as followers of Jesus, but sometimes you simply need to sit with this truth:
We are called to love. When we love, we connect to God. When we love, his love shows through us.
Some days that’s the main thing we need to remember. Love.
The Spirit will provide the rest.
SONG OF COMMISSION: This Is How We Know What Love Is (lyrics here)
Benediction
“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”
—2 Corinthians 13:14 (NIV)