Thoughts for the Day

Universal Call to Worship

Praise the Lord, all you nations!
Extol him, all you peoples!
For great is his steadfast love towards us,
and the faithfulness of the Lord endures for ever.
Praise the Lord!

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Over the years numbers in many of our Churches on a Sunday have declined, sometimes because people have got out of the habit of going to church, or their life has become so busy so that they choose to shop on a Sunday, or because they have lost their faith. It seems to me, though that there is a bigger problem, and that is the understanding of many Christians as to why they go to Church.

Psalm 117, above, is the smallest psalm in the Book of Psalms. In five lines it reminds us of one thing - we are called to praise God. Praise in the Bible refers to the act of expressing admiration, thanksgiving, and reverence for God. We acknowledge His greatness, His holiness, and His faithfulness, often this is through our words, our songs and our actions at times of worship. When we come to a Church service this is what we're doing.

However, over the years I've often heard people commenting on something they didn't like in a Church service, and I too have followed the trend of having a moan! Today's attitude is that we go to receive something from a service, whereas in fact we actually go to give something. We might well receive a number of things from this time dedicated to God (eg forgiveness of sins, fellowship with others, learn more about God or our about faith etc), but we really go to praise God for all that He has given to us! What will you give in worship next time?

Almighty God,
we come to You to praise Your name;
we praise You for Your love for us, even as we are sinners;
we praise You for Your compassion for us and all life;
we praise You for Your forgiveness of those who come to You;
we praise You for Your faithfulness;
we praise You for hearing our prayers;
we praise You for the comfort You give us;
and we praise You for sending Your Son to save us,
Amen.