The first question of the Westminster Shorter Catechism asks, “What is the chief end of man?” The response, “Man’s chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.
Since worship is the central purpose of our lives, it stands to reason that it should become the constant undertone of our lives. But is that our story? Can we say in all honesty that worship is the constant undertone of our life?
When you examine your life, do you find that to be true, or do you find instead that worship is often relegated to specific days of the week or to certain hours of the day?
If your answer is the latter, perhaps these thirty-one practical ways to focus your worship will help you in taking steps to make worship the constant undertone of your life.
Practical Ways to Focus Your Worship
1. Before you pray, sit a minute or so in silence. Quiet your mind and turn your thoughts toward God. Enter His presence reverently.
2. Give up a favorite food for a month to remind yourself of His worth.
3. Create a “Wonder and Awe” playlist. Choose songs that celebrate the perfect character and incredible deeds of God.
4. Change things up. Go outside and worship God in the beauty of creation.
5. Intentionally quiet your mind and prepare your heart before leaving your home for your church gathering.
6. Visit a shut-in or someone who is ill.
7. Make a list of those things that stir a sense of awe in you. Take your list to the Lord in a prayer of thanksgiving.
8. Set the timer on your watch or phone to go off every hour to remind you to think of Him.
9. Read a Bible passage such as Psalm 139 and respond with words or art.
10. Pray. Praise God for who He is. Celebrate the wonder of His glorious name. Confess your misplaced focus. Thank Him for His extraordinary acts, both historical and personal. Ask Him for eyes to see.
11. Sing for an audience of One. Direct your song to God.
12. Go for a praise walk thanking God for everything you see.
13. Offer sincere praise to others daily.
14. With your focus on God, perform an act of service for someone else.
15. Spend some time with Psalm 105:1 or any favorite verse of Scripture. Create a verse map, read it in several other Bible translations, rewrite it in your own words, meditate on it, pray it.
16. Meditate on God’s wondrous works that are recorded in the Bible.
17. Choose a location that you do not normally associate with worship – the shower, washing dishes, mowing the lawn, the golf course. Worship God in that place today.
18. Read Jesus’ invitation to rest in Matthew 11:28-30. Then simply rest. Recharge your body and spirit.
19. Serve others by taking part in church ministry. Be a greeter, set up the coffee, rock babies.
20. Sing a classic hymn and concentrate on the words. Let the message of the Gospel draw you into God’s presence.
21. Forgive those who have wronged you.
22. Take a walk outside. Before you go, read the first chapter of one of Paul’s letters and write down a verse or two you want to meditate on while you walk.
23. Use your creative gifts to express your love for God. Play the piano. Sketch a portrait. Write a poem. Sew a garment. Whatever you do, do it in praise to the One who gave you your abilities.
24. Even if it is uncomfortable, join in when your church family sings together.
25. Work through the alphabet A – Z. Name an attribute of God for each letter.
26. Pray the words of Scripture. Try Psalm 16, 25, or 42. Put the Scripture into your own words. Insert your name into the Scripture. Pray from a posture different than the one you usually assume.
27. Play worship music or a sermon podcast while you work out, do household chores, or drive your car.
28. Construct a timeline of God’s work in your life. Choose one remembrance and share it with a friend or family member today.
29. Create a list of blessings that are yours because of Christ’s work on the cross.
30. Stand and sing your favorite worship song at the top of your lungs. Raise your hands in worship. Move your feet.
31. Reflect on your time of intentional worship. Take your thoughts to God in the form of a letter or a poem.
