I recently read a very old book, The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence. It collects the teachings of Brother Lawrence (born Nicolas Herman), a 17th-century Carmelite friar, compiled posthumously by Father Joseph de Beaufort. While there is much Brother Lawrence and I would likely disagree on theologically, I think He’s on to something here.
His book is short, easy to read and available for free online or for purchase from a variety of sources
Brother Lawrence understood that worship wasn’t just what we do at the Sunday service or mid-week prayer meeting. It’s what we do in our daily lives.
The apostle Paul wrote:
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:1-2 ESV
Present our bodies as living sacrifices? He doesn’t say present your heart, mind or emotions, although those are part of worship. He’s pointing at something practical.
Worship isn’t only a feeling on Sunday. It’s what your body does on Monday through Saturday. The way you work. The words you speak. The things you say. Your hands and feet helping someone or walking away.
I love the way one writer describes it:
“Paul calls this “your spiritual worship.” The word, latreia, described the service priests performed in the temple. Ordinary life becomes temple service. The office becomes an altar. The kitchen becomes an altar. The car ride, the classroom, the hospital shift. Under the old system, worship meant going to the temple. Now, Paul says, you are where the offering happens.”
This idea is reinforced in Colossians.
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:23-24 ESV
Don’t just worship on Sunday; let everything you do be an act of worship.
Be blessed
Kevin
SUMMARY
Paul calls us to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, so worship isn’t confined to Sunday. Let everything you do this week, your work, your words, your hands and feet, be an act of worship.
TAKEAWAY
Worship isn’t only a feeling on Sunday. It’s what your body does Monday through Saturday: the way you work, the words you speak, your hands and feet helping someone or walking away.
Your office, your kitchen, your car ride can all become an altar. Under the old system, you went to the temple; now you are where the offering happens.
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men. Don’t just worship on Sunday; let everything you do be an act of worship.