Worship Is Not a Spectator Sport
- Candyce Carden
- Sep 20, 2023
- 3 min read
by Candyce Carden @CandyceCarden
Isn’t it interesting how God gives us different preferences and personalities that lead us to pursue different pastimes? I love college football season, and I love my Atlanta Braves. Fall is paradise for this spectator sports fan.
At church this week, I was thinking about the week’s upcoming games when God reminded me that worship should not be a spectator sport.
Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship with reverence and awe
(Hebrew 28-20 ESV).
Too often, we treat worship as a spectator sport whether or not we’re sports fans. We attend church. We stand when it’s time to sing but don’t open our mouths, bow our head during prayer but don’t open our hearts, lift our hand to pass the offering plate but don’t give. We attend to the pastor’s sermon with half an ear while thinking about lunch plans.
I’ve been guilty of some of the above.
As baseball and football seasons overlap, I implemented a few practices to keep me engaged during worship. Maybe you will find something helpful too.
Preparing Our Heart for Active Worship
Before Church
As we get ready to go to church, we can silence the distractions. No sports talk shows—or other television—before church. No social media or other hobbies. Instead, listen to praise music as you prepare to leave.
And pray. We can thank God for the church staff who diligently plans a meaningful worship experience for us. We can ask God to open our hearts, minds, and ears to hear the message He has for us today. Pray that today is the day an unsaved person accepts God’s gift of salvation.
2. The Worship Experience
We take part in worship in various ways. Here are a few suggestions to stay involved.
Praise Music. If you aren’t a singer, focus on the message of the lyrics. Allow the instrumental music to soar through your soul. Use this time to connect to God with thanksgiving and love. Our faces should reflect our joy.
Sing to the LORD; praise the LORD! For he has delivered the life of the needy from the hand of the evildoers
(Jeremiah 20:13 ESV).
Offering Time. If you donate online or in another way, actively participate during the offering by praying over the tithes and gifts.
The Sermon. Resolve to remain attentive, despite inner distractions. Taking notes helps me. Pray for your minister and the congregation, and know that God has a nugget of wisdom for you. Recalling the lyrics of this beautiful hymn, “Open my Eyes, Lord, I Want to See Jesus,” will put you in the right frame of mind to listen to your pastor’s message.
3. Following the Benediction
Rather than dashing off, look for someone who needs a word of welcome. Compliment a young mother on how well-behaved her children are or how cute they look. Thank your church staff for what they do.
My big sister used to tell me that going to church made the entire week better. She was right. Worship is a great way to start the week. But it doesn’t stop on Sunday. We’re more likely to maintain the closer connection to God all week after a meaningful worship service. But of course, it’s up to us. As with anything, we will get out of it what we put into it.
Now it’s your turn. How do you minimize inner distractions so worship does not become a spectator sport?
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