The power of worsip

Blessed are you, O Lord . . . , praiseworthy and exalted above all forever. (Daniel 3:52)

It makes sense to cry out to God for help when we’re struggling. But the Scriptures also show us people praising God when they’re in dire straits. In today’s first reading, for instance, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego have been thrown into a white-hot furnace because they refuse to worship King Nebuchadnezzar’s gods. But instead of panicking and crying out in fear, they walk about in the flames, “singing to God and blessing the Lord” (Daniel 3:24). 

Two things happen as the three men in the fiery furnace praise God. First, they are supernaturally protected—the flames don’t harm them. Second, they realize that they are not alone: there is a fourth man in the furnace with them, who “looks like a son of God” (Daniel 3:92).

We all face challenges in life; we all feel at times that we are in a white-hot furnace of our own. Our first reaction is usually to cry out to God to save us. There’s nothing wrong with that—God wants us to call on him in our need. But what if we decided to take a deep breath and offer him praise as well?

Like the “fourth man” appearing in the furnace, the act of praising God in some mysterious way makes him more present to us. We know that he might not always protect us from harm in miraculous ways as he did for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. We know that he might not take away the challenges we face. But we become more aware that he is with us, and we become more confident that he will never leave us or forsake us.

Something else happens as we step out in faith and decide to praise God: we go from focusing on our problems to focusing on him. That stirs up our hope and confidence in God. We understand in a deeper way that we have a great and mighty God who will love us, not just in our present troubles, but into eternity.

What’s the number one challenge you are facing right now? Today, visualize placing it on an altar and lifting your arms and hands in worship. Then use today’s responsorial psalm to praise the Lord. Even if your situation doesn’t change, your heart will. 

“Thank you, Lord, for your saving power! I want to praise you always!”

from wau.org

Worship Closet: Reckless Love by Cory Ashbury

Worship..everyday

Matthew 14:22-36

If you’re thinking that “homage” means “worship” here, you’re right. A boat may seem like an odd place for the disciples to fall down in worship and adoration, but consider the scene: they had just seen Jesus walking toward them on the water—and in the midst of a violent storm, no less! Add to that the fact that not long before that, they had seen him performing many other miracles like multiplying bread and performing countless healings. So it’s no wonder they responded this way. They were awestruck!

That’s the best reason for worship. It’s the natural response of our hearts to God’s greatness and mercy. Like the disciples in the boat, the more we see how marvelous he is, the easier it becomes to praise him and offer him our lives. 

So how can you cultivate an attitude of worship? You don’t need to go through the day on your knees or spend all of your time in church. Your everyday words and actions can become filled with devotion and gratitude to the Lord. Brother Lawrence, in Practicing the Presence of God, paints a picture of what this could look like. “God does not ask much of us, merely a thought of him from time to time, a little act of adoration, sometimes to ask for his grace . . . at other times to thank him . . . One need not cry out very loudly; he is nearer to us than we think.” 

So start small. Take just one thing you have planned for today, and turn it into an act of worship. Keep Jesus in mind. Start up an inner conversation with him and invite him into your task. And then try to do this task as if you were doing it for him. 

As you get into the habit of turning your everyday activities into acts of worship and adoration, you’ll find yourself more aware of God’s presence throughout the day. You’ll find your heart softening toward the people around you. And you’ll find yourself echoing the cry of the disciples in the boat: “Truly, you are the Son of God” (Matthew 14:33)!

“Lord, help me to be more aware of you in everything I do. I want to worship you even in my ordinary tasks.” 

from wau.org

Open lines.

She … spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem. (Luke 2:38)

Have you ever looked around in church and noted the many different age groups present, all worshiping together? Well, the ability of the Church to reach young and old alike originates long before our time. In fact, today’s readings show us that from the very beginning, Jesus has been calling generations together, asking them to minister to each other.

Here is Anna at age eighty-four, well past the average life expectancy for her time but still active and alert. She sees Mary and Joseph enter the Temple courts with their baby, and all of a sudden, three generations intersect. How did she know that Jesus was the Messiah? Her heart was tuned into God’s heart. She “worshiped night and day” in the Temple (Luke 2:37). And so she was able to look Mary and Joseph in the eye and proclaim the purpose for which this little child was born.

Because Anna’s whole life has been dedicated to worship, her spirit was open to the Lord and his revelation. She kept the lines of communication open, and that’s what enabled her to offer words of encouragement and prophecy to Mary and Joseph and to the people around her.

How are you doing in the area of praise and worship? You don’t have to spend your whole life in church, mind you. But you should try to make worship a key part of your daily prayer. As you focus your heart on the Lord and his goodness and redemption, you’ll begin to experience a new joy. You’ll find yourself more open to God’s word and more ready to trust his plan.

Recall all the good that the Lord has done in the world and in your own life. Thank and praise him for his love and faithfulness. Picture him on his throne, surrounded by all the angels and saints. Lift up your heart to the Lord, and you’ll find your whole perspective changing. Like Anna, you’ll become a prophetic presence to the people around you. You’ll find just the right words to say to them, no matter what their age or background. All because you have become a worshipper of the Lord!

“Lord, teach me to proclaim your faithfulness to all generations.”

taken from wau.org

The Worship Closet- Oceans

I heard this song and I believe its apt I share it with you. Please follow the lyrics and I can guarantee that you will be blessed.