Praise and Worship Is More Than Music

Most people associate with praise and worship with music, however, there are several ways we can worship and praise God. Here are some ways that will truly help us develop a lifestyle of praise and worship. 

Music has been around since before God created the Earth. The angels worshiped God in song. Scripture says in Job 38:7 that the “morning stars [the angelic host] sang together” at the creation. Satan was a morning star before he sinned (Isaiah 14:12). Many people join churches because the choir or praise team is good, so often it is a heightened part of the service.
 
Praying, Scripture reading, sharing testimonies, listening to a sermon, giving an offering, and communion can also be considered acts of praise or worship to God. However, true praise and worship is not a church thing. It’s a way of life that the Lord GOD wants every Believer to develop. Not for His benefit, but for ours. Scripture tells us to “Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him! Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth; yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved” (1 Chronicles 16:29 ESV).

Some people consider praise and worship to be the same thing, but they are different. Understanding the difference between the two can draw us into a closer relationship with the Father.
 
Praise expresses admiration and thanksgiving for something someone has done. Praise can be given to God, our family, friends, boss, and others. Regarding God, praise is acknowledgment and appreciation of what He has done for us. It is our way of giving thanks to Him. God is a good and loving Father. He is truly worthy of our praise. The book of Psalms gives us many reasons why praise is important, as well as examples of praise to God that include both angels and humans singing, dancing, shouting, and playing musical instruments (Psalm 69:30, 148:1–14,150).
 
Praise can be a part of worship, but worship goes well beyond praise. Worship should be reserved for God alone (Luke 4:8). The word worship means to bow low, but it’s not a position of bowing the knee as much as a posture of the heart. It is love and appreciation for God that comes from the core of the worshiper. Some people attend church and get caught up in praising God but never worship Him.
 
Jesus said in Matthew 15:8-9, “These people honor me only with their words, for their hearts are so very distant from me. They pretend to worship me, but their worship is nothing more than the empty traditions of men.” (The Passion Translation)
 
True Worship
Jesus told the Samaritan woman that “an hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem … an hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth.” He went on to say, “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in Spirit and in truth” (John 4:21, 23, 24).
 
Paul said, “Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:1-2).
 
As a born again Believer, being a living sacrifice is not just something you do, it’s who you are. Worship requires sacrifice. These scriptures show that true worship is giving yourself to God. We must be willing to humble ourselves and surrender every part of our lives to God.
 
There are several ways to praise and worship God which includes ways other than music. Ways that will truly help us develop a lifestyle of praise and worship. One of the key things to remember is that authentic praise and worship begins in the heart.
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Prayer Is an Avenue of Praise and Worship. I call prayer, praise, and worship “the triple threat”. Prayer is communicating with God, having a loving relationship with Him. I’m a firm believer that including scripture in our prayers helps us to focus on what’s important to God. Praying the Promises of God, combined with praising and worshiping God is are powerful weapons for Christians.
 
Giving Is an Avenue of Praise and Worship. God does not need your money, time, or talent, however, when you give out of a heart of gratitude and sacrifice you are saying God, “All I have is Yours.” Scripture says, “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you” (Luke 6:38).

Dance Is Another Form of Praise and Worship. David danced while praising the Lord. He wrote of praising the Lord in dance in the Psalms (1 Samuel 30:16; 2 Samuel 6:14-16, Psalm 30:11; 149:3; 150:4). If you enjoy dancing use your dancing to express your praise, joy, love, and celebration of the Lord. Just remember to keep it tasteful.
 
Praise and Worship God Through Your Writing. If you love writing, your love of writing is no coincidence! As a Christian writer, your writing is an act of worship. Writing your prayers, and thoughts of God’s goodness is a wonderful way to praise and worship God. Use the talents He has given you to glorify Him and grow closer to Him. Father God is delighted when we use the gifts He has given us for His glory. Remember the "Parable of the Talents", in Matthew 25:14–30? Worship Him with the offering of our words.
 
Praise and Worship God Through Prayer Writing. Prayer is the heartbeat of praise and worship and vital in the entrance into the presence of God. David poured out his heart out to God in the Psalms. The book of Psalms can be a major inspiration for what a written-out prayer might look like. When you write to experience all that this avenue will bring, let your words, thoughts, and tone be your own. Write whatever pops into your heart. Keep a detailed record of how God is working. You’re going to be surprised!
 
Praise and Worship God Through Scripture Writing. Writing out the Scriptures go hand-in-hand with reading and studying the Bible and a wonderful way to build up your prayer life, learn to meditate on the Word, and praise and worship God. You may think it’s just copying Scriptures, but it is more than copying words. It is a great way to learn and meditate on Scripture because when you are writing out the Scriptures, you must slow down to read the words and you notice the details. Your understanding and faith will increase, joy and gratitude will fill your heart and before you know it words bubble forth in praise and worship.
  
Praise and Worship God by Admiring His Creation. Go for a walk and pay attention to nature, the beauty of the world (block out the turmoil). Notice the flowers and the trees, the sky and clouds, seasonal changes. Take a walk through the zoo.  The walking will do wonders for your health, and your appreciation of the Father. Consider gardening and playing in the dirt. The key is spending some alone time talking with God. Think about the family God has blessed you with admiring their beauty and complexity.
 
Developing a lifestyle of praise and worship produces good fruit in your life, and helps us draw closer to Him, which results in us experiencing His life-changing power and grace. You can use the avenues of praise and worship listed above to give God glory or be creative in your own expressions. No matter how you praise and worship God remember that your heart is the most important part. It’s just as important to understand that praising and worshiping God should not be ritualistic.

Share what your favorite way of praising and worshiping God is.

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