Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. Psalm 95:1-3 (ESV)
And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the Day of his return is drawing near. Heb. 10:25 (NLT)
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Acts 2:42 (NIV)
Dear heavenly Father, thank you for the calling, privilege, and importance of worshiping together on the Lord’s Day. Because it’s a calling, we dare not dismiss it easily, or take it lightly. Because it’s you we get to meet with, may we come prepared, expectant, and evermore grateful.
According to the Scriptures, our gatherings will become increasingly important, as the Day of Jesus’ return grows closer and closer. Help us to take corporate worship more seriously, and engage more whole-heartedly than ever.
Father, may we, as your beloved children, give you, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit the worship of which you are alone worthy. Feed our minds with your Word; fill our hearts with your grace; empower our worship by your Spirit. May we gather, not as selfish consumers, looking to be pleased; but as true worshipers, longing to be consumed with your glory and grace.
We pray for those who lead us in your worship, and those who bring us your Word. Theirs is a great stewardship and responsibility. May the gospel be powerful in their hearts and fresh on their lips. May they see and savor Jesus, that we might do the same. Free them to honor and glorify you, and empower them to love and serve us.
Father, through our corporate worship, we pray you will be blessed, revealed, and magnified; and that we will be humbled, gladdened and transformed. As we lift Jesus up, we trust you to take us low and draw the nations in. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ loving and worship-worthy name.
