Too many times we come to corporate worship unprepared to worship. We haven't taken time to pray in such a way that we come to worship with two things from the "outer court". We should pray sufficiently to where we are able to come with an attitude of gratitude - with thanksgiving. And, we should have prayed in such a way that we come with a great expectation of encountering the living God together as a congregation. Do we really want to presume to speak directly to God when we are not really prepared to be in His presence?
And then as we enter the "throne room" of the presence of God, singing and speaking words for Him alone, we should be careful as to not distract other worshippers. Once we have acknowledged each other's presence, then we need to come boldly into His presence and focus on Him through prayer, music, and the Word.
May we grow in our mind-set and understanding that worship is not for us, it is for Him. May we always come expecting a "God-encounter." If we don't encounter the living God, drawing into His manifest presence in a way that glorifies Him and changes us, it is not worship as God designed it to be. May we be faithful to pray for this for all of the First Family. mjm
