Worship Is Not a Spectator Sport
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?
Worship Is Not a Spectator Sport Too often, we treat worship as a spectator sport whether or not we’re sports fans. #worship Click To Tweet
Oh Candyce, I think I have been guilty of being a spectator with my faith. When life gets too busy, it is easy for me to slip into that mindset. Thanks for your recommendation and encouragement.
It’s easy to do as we get busier and busier with our writing ministry and all the other facets of life which beacon us. I appreciate your affirmation!
I think we all need to be reminded of these points from time to time, Candyce. I especially like the idea of preparing your heart before you go to church. Thank you!
Thanks, Annie. in these busy lives we lead, heart preparation is important – but easy to overlook – because there’s always “one more thing” we need to squeeze in when we have a chance.
Thanks Candyce. I really enjoyed your perspective on worship. I find as much as I seriously hate technology, I get lost in the hole anyway. I want to keep my attention on Christ, but I find I drift into thinking about other things so easily. Great admonishment and reminder.
The way we received much of our information today forces us to use our devices. And even for those of us who strive for a healthy balance between technology and the rest of life, it still affects our attention spans because so much is at our fingertips. I truly think it is the new enemy we have to be most vigilant about.
With so many using their iPad, phone, or table as a electronic Bible instead of having a print copy, distraction is everywhere. The same for the Zoom participants and their ever present distractions. As my mother use to say when I was a boy, focus on the songs and then the word. Look at the preacher. Take sermon notes (and she taught me how) to stay focused on the Lord. Great and timely message in your article.
Thank you, Jimmie. Your mother was a wise woman with her practical and concrete suggestions. You convicted me when you mentioned Zoom participation. It’s so tempting to multi-task as we listen to the input of others. I’m resolving to stop treating Zoom meetings as a spectator sport. I’ll get out of them what I put in. Thanks, Jimmie!
Thanks, Candyce, for this inspiring post and for sharing these ways we can get our mind ready for worship. Worship does require participation.
Worship does require participation – and much of it is internal, making it easier to let our minds wander. But if we’re true to ourselves, and God, we make intentional efforts to stay focused! Thanks, Barbara.
Loved this, Candyce! Thank you for sharing practical ideas to enhance our time of worship.
Thanks, LuAnn! Blessings.
As with most things, we get out of it what we put into it. If I don’t participate in worship, I walk away from the opportunity not having received the refreshment, renewal, or communication with God that was available. Great word, Candyce.
I like how you call worship an opportunity, Terri. It is indeed an opportunity and one we don’t want to miss. Or take for granted. Thank you.
Great message Ms. Candyce. It certainly is not ma’am. Often during worship, prior to the sermon in our church, I observe those around me. When we invite the Holy Spirit into our worship and praise, He’ll help you identify that brother or sister who is burdened, troubled, or simply in need of a friendly voice and a gentle, caring touch. I love that our church has an open altar call. We can approach the altar, and subsequently God’s throne of grace, at any time during services. It’s always open and we are encouraged to heed God’s call. While not a spectator sight, sometimes my job is to help someone else in their worship. I’m good with that, as a blessing always returns to me.
Yes, I believe the Holy Spirit will guide us to those who need a word of encouragement, J.D. And I also think a welcoming word can impact someone enough to bring them back to church. Many are searching for a home, and it’s up to us to create that environment.
I think we all find ourselves distracted during worship. Taking my thoughts captive and intentionally focusing help me worship and absorb the preached word. This practice is a daily discipline not just a Sunday morning effort. Accomplishing the right mind and heart set is a continual challenge-sometimes I accomplish this but other times I don’t! It takes intentional prayer and surrender and then REPEAT! Thank you Candace. This was a thought provoking read.
Your word, REPEAT, is especially important to focus. A continual wash and rinse cycle. Visualizing taking my thoughts captive helps me too.
I certainly needed your message, Candyce. I find myself sometimes distracted during worship and chastise myself for it. However, your wise advice provides strategies to prevent our mind wandering and losing focus. I also appreciate your suggestions for preparing ourselves in advance of worship to open our eyes, ears, hearts, and minds to God’s message. Thank you!
Seems like there are more distractions today than ever before—especially with our “devices” always at hand. I’m trying to limit the time I spend surfing the web because I’m convinced there’s a direct correlation to information availability and our shortening attention spans.
Have a focused week!