​We’re in the middle of Passion Week.  Palm Sunday has passed, and we looked at the empty praise Jesus’ followers gave Him that memorable day over two thousand years ago and the take-aways we can glean from that event.  Good Friday is before us and all that it represents, along with Jesus’ struggle in the garden of Gethsemane.  And beyond that is the glory of the Resurrection, the empty tomb, and the finished work.  So it’s appropriate that this week’s song for “Here I Am to Worship” should cover all these highlights from Passion Week.  

​The next song in our Easter-focused worship set is called “Unbroken Praise” by Matt Redman.  This song touched me deeply several years ago and is still a favorite worship song.  I recently introduced it at my church and it has blessed several in our congregation, so I pray that it blesses you also!

​April is here!  With Passion Week just around the corner, this is one of the most joyous and meaningful times of year for the believer.  So as you may have guessed, this month’s worship set is going to focus on Christ—His sacrifice and our response.  I pray that it is a blessing to you and will center your mind and heart on the message and meaning of Easter.

​Have you ever heard a worship song and gotten chills?  The power and beauty of the song almost immediately ushers in the presence of God and touches your heart.  If you haven’t had a moment like this, I pray that you experience one soon!  It’s amazing and profound. 

​Now that we have learned to appropriately prepare our hearts for worship, let’s dive into actually worshipping the Lord through song.  The plan is to share one song each week and build a worship set of four songs each month.  However, since we’re in mid-March, we will wait until April to start the first worship set. 
 
In the meantime, I have a couple of powerful songs I’d like to share with you as we get ready for Resurrection Sunday and all that it stands for.  Today’s worship song is “Behold the Lamb” by Passion Worship.

​Last time on “Here I Am to Worship,” we talked about step three in preparing our hearts for worship.  However, we never got to the worship leader’s step three.  So let’s continue on with this third and final step in preparing our hearts for worship.
 
Worship Leader Step 3:  bring people into the presence of God.
 
As a worship leader, this is what it’s all about.  It’s not about the music or how talented the band is; it’s about this most important job and responsibility.

Has your worship been revitalized?  As you quiet your mind and focus on the Lord, has your spirit been refreshed from that special time with your Creator? 
 
For me, worship has always been a place of refuge.  A place where all the cares of this world fade away and there’s nothing left but Him—the great I AM.  No matter what challenges I face in life, worship is where I run when I’m feeling overwhelmed, frazzled, and heavy-hearted.  It’s where my spirit is refreshed and my joy renewed.  ​

​How is de-cluttering your mind before worship going?  Have you been able to successfully quiet your mind and heart before the Lord?  Or as a worship leader, have you been able to create an effective call to worship?  If you have, then you will already be set for step two in preparing our hearts for worship.

​Before we can enter into the holy place of worship, we must prepare our hearts.  Worship isn’t like attending a meeting where all you have to do is show up.  On the contrary, true worship requires preparation on both the part of the worship leader and the worshipers.  

​This song has been circling around in my head for the last week or so.  While it hasn’t always been a favorite of mine, God really impressed it upon my heart recently.  The most powerful part (and my favorite!) is the chorus: