Preparing for Worship - Step 3 Continued

​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.

Compare it to being a bus driver.  You have all these people on your bus, people who have climbed aboard for the ride.  They may have different ideas, thoughts, or plans of where they think they’re going, but ultimately the bus driver is in control of the actual destination.  You are that bus driver.  You determine the course and destination of your bus.  That’s a heavy responsibility, especially when referring to the church. 
 
Now this analogy is not perfect—because people have individual responsibility before God too.  But in a greater sense, it works, because worship leaders set the tone for the congregation.  They will go where they are led.  So if we, as worship leaders, make worship all about us, then people will miss the presence of God.  But if we are intentional about what we do and make a point of ultimately leading people into the presence of God, it will touch hearts and bring people before the throne of God.  Mission accomplished!
 
As a worshiper and a worship leader, this is my favorite place to be—before God’s presence.  So when it comes to a practical application of this step, there are many, many songs I like and use.  For me, when I get to this point in worship, I never want to stop.  And this is how it should be.  The angels in heaven never stop glorifying and worshipping God—they have done so for a long time and will continue to do so into eternity.  Therefore, when we’ve reached that throne room of God in our worship, we also should catch that sense of unceasing adoration. 
 
While this is not a complete list by any means, here are some worship songs I’ve found that really draw me (and others) into that special place of God’s presence.
 

• Revelation Song
• What a Beautiful Name
• Here I Am to Worship
• Almighty by Chris Tomlin
• No Other Name
• Hallelujah by Ben Cantelon
• How Great is Our God by Chris Tomlin

 
True worship is such a vital part of a healthy Christian life.  So as you seek to deepen your walk with the Lord, start out by revitalizing your worship.  Whether on a personal level or in corporate worship on Sundays, you can prepare your heart by using these three simple steps:
 

1. Quiet your mind and heart
2. Focus on the Lord
3. Enter into God’s throne room

 
I pray that through this intentional preparation, God will open your eyes and you will experience pure and amazing worship in the presence of Almighty God.  To God alone be all the glory!

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​Your turn!  What is one (or more!) of your favorite worship songs and why?