There is nothing like singing in a huge choir, especially majestic things like the Hallelujah Chorus. I can’t wait to hear the harps and voices in heaven. We’ll be doing a lot of praise and worship.
The church from the beginning has included hymns and psalms and spiritual songs. Music unites hearts as nothing else can do, and it is an act of devotion to God the Creator, Sustainer, and Perfecter of our faith. It may be harder to sing when we are bowed down in His presence, but I am sure, when standing, we’ll raise our hands in praise and sing with gusto and energy. How could we not? Our resurrected bodies will not tire, our energy will not disappear, and our muscles will be strong once more, renewed like the strength of our youth.
At the opening of many of or worship services we have a time of praise and worship. It is with great joy when we begin with traditional hymns and contemporary expressions of faith. It brings us to the throneroom of heaven.We’d better enjoy doing it. We will in eternity. This is just the warm-up!
MY PSALM 329 PRAISE AND WORSHIP
Almighty God, Everlasting Lord, King of the Universe,
I praise You this Lord’s Day for Your very presence
Every moment of every day and night,
And the joy of my salvation as Your child.
Thank You for Your hedge of protection,
For being the Rock of my Salvation
And my Eternal Hope.
Thank You for Your guidance for my family
And most recently for two friends
I have entrusted to Your care.
I thank You for establishing new homes,
I thank You for creating new horizons
Where there was no hope.
I thank You for provision
Of the very basics: food, shelter, health
And for adding the blessings of joy
Through suffering and pain,
That showing me this life is but temporary,
And these life-tragedies are but delays
Until we are united in Your heavenly halls
Where Light shines eternally and tears are wiped away.
I rejoice that Your people are gathering,
Even this Sabbath moment,
All around Your world to worship You in spirit and in truth.
From steamy jungles to storefronts,
From forest campsites to vast cathedrals
Voices rise in adoration and praise to You, Eternal God.
I pray for our pastors, priests, laymen, and all worshippers
That Your Spirit will enliven, enrich,
Encourage, and magnify our worship.
I pray that the Word of truth
Will be spoken, sung, and prayed,
That every soul will find reverence,
Refreshment, revival
And that where men are silent,
All of creation will cry out to praise Your Name.
As dew, raindrops, and torrents
Bring Your blessing to a world
Which so needs cleansing and new growth,
Encourage us this day,
That we may see signs of Your blessings
In the little things, and in the giant miraculous blessings You provide.
Where there is conflict, where there is discord,
Where there is absence of peace,
I pray Your Holy Spirit will initiate
Recovery, restoration, cooperation, and concord.
Where there is selfishness, hatred, prejudice, mistrust
I pray Your Holy Spirit will renew a right spirit
And baptize with the cleansing of Your grace
That resurrection can come in relationships,
Bringing peace and concord and satisfaction
Beyond man’s ability to understand,
Bringing joy where there was none.
Remind us yet again that Your Son, Jesus,
Came to us as Prince of Peace,
And that the world denied Him,
And is now filled with discord, distrust, and conflict.
We pray we can be used by You
To promote the love of others
Which You command
As we love You first, and love our neighbors as ourselves.
Fill us with Your Presence, this day, ‘til our very souls
Utter what our tongues cannot perfectly speak:
“Hallelujah, Lord of All,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit! Amen!”
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