Intentional worship
"For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. By their approval of this service, they will glorify God..." (2 Corinthians 9:12-13)
August 11, 2025
Dear friends,
Recently, on our way to church, we were filling out our offering envelope. Now, on the envelope you can designate to the general church ministry fund, and you can also designate to individual missionaries that the church supports.
I paused in thought, and was filled with joy to think that our monthly giving, as humble as it was, could bring glory to God and advance the cause of Christ in the world. Sad to say, my giving has become rather automatic and routine. I don't always think about giving as a way to bring glory to God. We just do it, you know, tithe each month — whether we think about it or not.
The Apostle Paul said, "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Cor 9:7) We should be thoughtful, free, and joyous in our giving. And as the verse at top states, this giving in support of ministries results in "overflowing in many thanksgivings to God... they will glorify God because of your submission..." (2 Cor 9:12-13)
Our worship of God should be intentional and joyful. Of course, we should honor and worship him, seeking to glorify him at all times and in all places. This is called living "coram Deo", that is, in the presence of God every moment. R. C. Sproul explains, "This phrase literally refers to something that takes place in the presence of, or before the face of, God. To live coram Deo is to live one’s entire life in the presence of God, under the authority of God, to the glory of God."
Intentional worship is a kind of living worship, versus something which is unthinking, mechanical, or routine. It's awake and alive in the presence of the One we are worshipping. It's purposeful, and filled with gratitude. For example, my morning Bible reading shouldn't be something I merely check off a daily to-do list. I should be prayerful, engaged, and giving my mind something to think about through the day.
Worshipping intentionally relates to corporate worship, as well. Just like my offering that Sunday morning, weekly worship at church should be intentional, joyful, and purposeful, being aware of the greatness and beauty of God. So I've been asking myself...
-- Am I praying for all who will attend the morning's worship, that God would be glorified in all we do? Am I thankful for all who serve during our gathered worship?
-- Am I fully attentive to all the meaning of the Lord's table, and the things which are being shared, with gratitude?
-- Am I welcoming people, even in the hallways, in a way that honors God? Does my countenance reflect something of the glory of Christ to others? (Not with a fake smile, however!)
-- Am I singing the songs and hymns with awareness of what the words mean, offering these to the Lord to glorify him? Am I realizing that the lively worship of God's people brings encouragement to others? (See Eph 5:19; Col 3:16)
-- Am I joining in with the intercessory prayer being offered, in my heart lifting others up with thankfulness, and making the confessions and petitions my own?
-- Am I listening to the sermon carefully and humbly -- that is, "faith seeking understanding" -- and praying about the truths that I'm hearing? Will I speak of these things afterwards with others, that they may be edified and so give thanks to God?
-- Am I talking with others in such a way as to draw them to the goodness of God? Do I realize that words of kindness may give someone the encouragement to keep going with the Lord?
We should be aware of God's presence in our worship, whether alone, with family, or with the church gathered. He is our true Audience. Spurgeon said, "All places are places of worship to a Christian. Wherever he is, he ought to be in a worshipping frame of mind."
Our worship should be joyfully intentional! We should desire that all who attend church with us might see something of the glory and goodness of God during our time of worship together.
IN OTHER NEWS.
-- Here's a little more on what coram Deo means.
-- We enjoyed this song last Sunday morning: "The Heart of Worship", by Matt Redman.
-- From Sunday's sermon: "That is always the trouble with weak faith -- it comes back again to questions which it has already solved and answered." (Martyn Lloyd-Jones, quoted by Jeff Highfield).
-- Pray for your suffering brothers and sisters around the world. Here's a recent report.
-- Here’s Abraham Kuyper on balancing the mystical and the doctrinal aspects of our devotional life.
FINAL QUOTE.
"There is more healing joy in five minutes of worship than there is in five nights of revelry." (A. W. Tozer)
That’s it for this week!
Sandy
Afterwords is an occasional newsletter on topics of interest to me (Sandy Young) since my retirement from full-time pastoral ministry. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from The ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.