Are you ready to worship?

Many Christians wonder why worship sometimes feels empty or routine. We might think that changing the music style, adding more energy to the service, or hearing a more dynamic sermon will solve the problem.

But according to Scripture, true worship isn't about what happens during the service—it's about what happens in your heart before you ever walk through the church doors.

What Does the Bible Say About Preparing for Worship?

In Exodus 19, we find a powerful example of how God expects His people to prepare for worship. The Israelites had been out of Egypt for three months when God wanted to meet with them at Mount Sinai. But before this divine encounter could happen, God established specific requirements for preparation. God told Moses to sanctify the people for two full days before they could worship on the third day. They had to wash their clothes, establish boundaries, and completely dedicate themselves to God. This wasn't a casual "show up and see what happens" approach—it was intentional, deliberate preparation.

Why Preparation Matters More Than Performance

Here's a truth that might challenge your thinking: nothing you do within the confines of a worship service can generate true worship if you haven't prepared your heart beforehand. If what God Almighty has done for you isn't enough motivation to worship Him, how can you expect a particular song or sermon to suddenly make you worship?

Paul and Silas didn't have a worship band or perfect acoustics when they worshiped in prison. Yet their worship was so powerful it caused an earthquake and led to an entire family's salvation. Why? Because they were prepared to worship regardless of their circumstances.

Three Biblical Requirements for Worship Preparation

1. You Must Examine Yourself

Exodus 19:10 tells us that God commanded Moses to "sanctify them today and tomorrow and let them wash their clothes." The New Testament equivalent is found in 2 Corinthians 13:5: "Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves."

Consecration means a willing and full dedication of your life, heart, and everything you have to God. It means setting yourself apart for Him and His purposes. When was the last time you actively consecrated yourself before coming to worship? This examination isn't about judging others—it's about honestly assessing your own spiritual condition. You're not responsible for examining your fellow church members; you're responsible for examining yourself.

2. You Must Be Obedient to God's Word

God established clear boundaries for the Israelites at Mount Sinai. Anyone who violated these boundaries would face severe consequences—death by stoning or arrows. Why such harsh punishment? Because God takes His Word seriously, and obedience to His Word is essential for worship.If you don't read God's Word daily, how can you know what you're supposed to be obedient to? God's Word prepares you to worship. It's not enough to show up on Sunday hoping to be spiritually fed—you need to be feeding yourself throughout the week.

Consider this: if you believe that God speaks through His Word and through preaching, how could you possibly be bored, distracted, or sleepy during worship? Your level of engagement often reflects your level of preparation.

3. You Must Confess Your Sins and Repent

Before the Israelites could worship at Mount Sinai, they had to wash their clothes—removing the dirt of the world. Similarly, we must be clean from sin before we can truly worship God.

True confession isn't just saying "Lord, forgive me of my sins." Biblical confession means agreeing with God about a particular sin and turning from it. It means repentance—a genuine change of direction.

You cannot worship while holding grudges against fellow believers. Jesus made this clear when He said that if you have something against your brother, you should be reconciled before bringing your gift to the altar.

The Foundation of All Worship: Salvation

Perhaps most importantly, you cannot worship if you're not saved. Not everyone who attends church is a Christian. Jesus warned that many would say "Lord, Lord" but would not enter the kingdom of heaven because they never truly knew Him. True worship requires the Holy Spirit living within you, which only happens through salvation in Jesus Christ. If you've never admitted you're a sinner, believed that Jesus is the Christ, and publicly confessed your faith, you cannot experience genuine worship.

Life Application

This week, commit to preparing for worship before you arrive at church. Spend time each day examining your heart, reading God's Word, and confessing any sins. Don't wait until Sunday morning to think about worship—begin preparing your heart on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

Ask yourself these questions:

• Have I spent time this week consecrating myself to God and His purposes?

• Am I reading God's Word daily so I can be obedient to what He requires?

• Have I confessed and repented of specific sins in my life?

• Am I holding any grudges against fellow believers that I need to resolve?

• Most importantly, am I truly saved through faith in Jesus Christ?

Remember, worship isn't about what others do or don't do during the service. It's about whether you've prepared your heart to meet with God. When you do these three things—examine yourself, obey God's Word, and confess your sins—you will worship regardless of what songs are sung or what is preached. Your worship will depend on your preparation, not on the performance of others.