Psalm 63:1 – O God, you are my God, I seek you, my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. (NRSV)

What do you think of worship? Or maybe the question should be, "Do you think about worship at all?" There are many passages in the Bible that speak to the different facets of worship. Some focus on the aspect of praise, others on the idea of worshipping in community.

Recently, I was having a conversation with someone who does not go to church, but who professes to be a believer. She doesn't see the necessity of communal worship. "I don't need to be in a church to worship," she said. "I can worship God anywhere."

I've heard that same comment many times over the years, and I expect that you have, too. But when I hear, "I can worship God anywhere," the question that pops immediately into my mind is, "But do you?" I wonder if that person really takes the time to worship God in the everyday-ness of life. While doing laundry. While driving to work. While mowing the lawn or shovelling snow. While watching a sunrise or sunset. While putting the kids to bed or bathing the dog. While sitting quietly reading a book.

If I'm being honest with myself, immediately, I have to follow "But do you?" with the question, "But do I?"

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 – Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (NRSV)

It reminds me of a common liturgical prayer:

It is right, and a good and joyful thing,
always and everywhere to give thanks to You,
Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.

For me, the key words in that prayer are "always and everywhere". There are opportunities always and everywhere to worship God and to offer Him thanks. Do I take advantage of those opportunities? Do I invest the time and energy necessary to worship God always and everywhere?

If I am like the psalmist in today's verse, if my soul truly thirsts for God, then I will want to worship Him always and everywhere. But do I? Do I make room for God in the everyday-ness of life?

Do you?

Prayer: Father God, please help us to see You always and everywhere. Help us to praise You with thanksgiving, always and everywhere. Help us to worship You always and everywhere. We pray that all of our worship and all of our praise and all of our thanksgiving will be acceptable in Your sight. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

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About the author:

Scott Williams <svw59@outlook.com>
Madoc, Ontario, Canada
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