"But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeks such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." – John 4:23-24

To worship God is to seek his face, that is, to see the Lord in his beauty by meditating on Him and extolling (proclaiming) his worth. Isaiah saw the Lord high and lifted up and was forever changed (Is. 6:1-8). Jesus said that the Father is seeking worshipers who will worship him in spirit and in truth. God desires for us to seek after him in steadfast worship beholding his beauty.

• The fear (reverence and awe) of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. – Proverbs 9:10
• And the people that do know their God shall be strong and do exploits. – Daniel 11:32
• Delight yourself also in the Lord; and He shall give you the desires of your heart. – Psalm 37:4
• One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple. – Psalm 27:4
• But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: – 1 Peter 2:9
• But you are holy, O thou that inhabits the praises of Israel. – Psalms 22:3

Behold His Beauty
The worship part of intercession is to behold the beauty of the Lord. That means to take time to muse, meditate, and focus on who God is in all His splendor and glory, until the truth of His greatness fills us with awe, adoration, love. True worship is to quietly, deliberately look into the kaleidoscope of God's character, and then stand in awe of His matchless beauty. Isaiah saw the Lord high and lifted up and was forever changed. This was not a worship service in the Temple or Synagogue. It was private worship, "on-your-face-before-a-living-God" worship. It stirred the heart and cleansed the soul. David said his one overriding supreme desire was this. One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple. – Psalms 27:4

In Spirit and In Truth
Jesus authenticated private worship experience when he clarified for the woman at the well in Samaria that worship had nothing to do with temples made with hands. (John 4:23-24) Solomon too revealed that when at the dedication of the Great Temple in Jerusalem he confessed… "But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?" (I Kings 8:27 and Stephen quotes him in Acts 7:48 "Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet.")

Confined Worship
Too often we Christians make the mistake of confining our worship to the house of God. Worship is personal adoration expressed directly to God himself. It has little to do with formal services, and music. It has everything to do with loving God with all one’s heart, mind, soul, strength and expressing that love emotionally and verbally. Jesus said, "The Father seeks such to worship him." "Worship in spirit" is not referring to the Holy Spirit, but to the spirit of man – his emotions, his soul, his innermost being. Each day of our lives we as believers, the blood-bought redeemed ones, should seek to fervently worship God in our spirit.

Who Is He?
Would to God that we would learn the secret of His presence in learning to worship the Lord for who he is, not just for all the things He has done. I am afraid for all of us too often our praise is not real worship or adoration but fumbling attempts to "do praise" so that we can get on with the real business interest of our prayer – the asking. True worship has nothing to do with getting. True worship is worship in truth, that is, worshipping God for who he truly is. Who is God? What is He like? God has revealed himself in His word. Worship is reviewing who he is according to that revelation. To know the Lord is to hold him is highest "awe," and to stand amazed in his presence. True worship melts the heart before the heat of God’s personal revelation. "No man can look on him and live."

Know the Lord!
Paul declared his goal in life was to "know the Lord in the power of his resurrection." Daniel similarly praises those who truly know the Lord as ones who will do exploits. (Daniel 11:32) He who knows God by showing forth his praises will do valiantly. He will be victorious.

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Worship With Actions!
Worship is not a quiet thing. It demands expression both verbally and physically. Angels and cherubim do it constantly before the throne. Worship is our invitation to join them.

Read the book of Revelation of Jesus Christ and you will find physical and verbal declarations to the worth and holiness of God. People fell down and worshiped. You cannot truly worship and be quiet or still. To exalt the Lord requires your personal investment. It involves all of you. Peter expresses the physical and dynamic declaration of God’s worth when he says, "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." – 1 Peter 2:9 We are to SHOW FORTH his praises, not just say praises. The word "show forth" is one word in Greek, "exaggello" which literally is "to message forth" or to make known by praising, proclaiming, or celebration. "Aggelos" is angel or "messenger of God" who heralds God’s glory.

The Hebrew "Shofar," or trumpet, introduced worship with a loud, long blast, so too, we are to trumpet God’s praises loudly, just as angels do before the throne. Psalm 66 verses 1-3 is worth our full attention as David instructs us in the art of worship. "Shout to God, Sing to God, Make his praise glorious, Say to God." Psalm 68:4 continues the instruction, "Sing to God, Sing praise to His name, extol Him who rides on the clouds, rejoice before Him."

Worship With Words - (Loving Appreciation)

1. Praise - (yadah) - to throw, shoot arrows, cast laud, praise
2. Give glory - (yahab) -- make shine, to give glory, to bring splendor, to ascribe worth,
3. Magnify - (gadal) - to cause to grow, to make great, powerful, to magnify
4. Worship - (shachah) - to bow down, prostrate oneself, to crouch before superior in homage
5. Exalt / Extol - (ruwm) - to rise, rise up, be heave high, be lift up lofty, be exalted above
6. Sing - (zamar) - to make music, to sing with voice, to play a musical instrument
7. Ascribe - (nathan) - to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote
8. Bless - (barak) - to kneel, to bless, to salute, to congratulate
9. Declare - tell of - (caphar) - to count, recount, relate, to number, take account of, reckon
10. Shout - (ranan) - to cry out, shout for joy, give a ringing cry (in joy, exultation, praise)

Worship With Emotions - (Loving Adoration)

1. Delight in - (anag) - to be happy about, take exquisite delight, to make merry over
2. Honor - (tiph'arah) - to glory, of rank, renown, as attribute of God, make beautiful
3. Behold - (chazah) - (means to wash off one’s face) to see, to perceive, to look at
4. Love - (racham) - have tender affection, deep love
5. Clap - (taqa) - to give a blast, give a blow, to strike or clap hands
6. Lift up hands - (nasa') - to lift, lift up, to bear, hold high
7. Bow down - (kara) - bow down, sink down to one's knees,

Worship With Scripture
Use the Scriptures to prime the pump of praise my reminding you of God’s greatest. This is especially powerful and blessed when done in group praying.

1. Psalm 111
2. Psalm 112
3. Psalm 113
4. Psalm 117
5. Psalm 134
6. Psalm 144
7. Psalm 145
8. Psalm 147
9. Psalm 148
10. Psalm 149
11. Psalm 150

There is nothing better than a well marked Bible to assist you in worship. I have taken the Psalms and highlighted praise and worship passages in yellow highlighter so call attention to these wonderful praise filled passages. Prime the pump of worship with the Psalms! There are many more than these. Work your own way through the Psalms in one sitting highlighting your favorite praise passages.

Worship His Holy Name

1. Jehovah-tsidkenu = The Lord our Righteousness
2. Jehovah-shalom = The Lord our Peace
3. Jehovah-shammah = The Lord our Who is There Ever Present
4. Jehovah-m’kaddesh = The Lord our Sanctifier
5. Jehovah-jireh = The Lord our Provider
6. Jehovah-rohi = The Lord our Shepherd
7. Jehovah-nissi = The Lord our Banner
8. Jehovah-rophe = The Lord our Healer
9. Jehovah-saboath = Lord of Hosts

There are over 600 Biblical names for God and Jesus Christ. It is a wonderful experience to acknowledge his name(s) and exalt him in worship with his names.

Names of Christ

Alpha and Omega - Rev. 1:8 Almighty - Rev. 1:8 Blessed and Only Potentate - 1 Tim. 6:15 Brightness of His Glory - Hebrews 1:3 Emmanuel - Matthew 1:23, Is 9:6 Everlasting Father - Is 9:6 First and Last - Rev 1:7, Is 41:4 God manifest in flesh - 1 Tim. 3:16 God our Savior - 1 Tim. 2:3 God with us - Matthew 1:23 I Am - John 8:58 Image of His Person - Hebrews 1:3 King of kings - 1 Tim. 6:15, Rev 17:14 Lord of lords - Rev. 17:14, 19:16 Lord God Almighty - Rev. 15:3, Is 9:6 Lord of the Sabbath - Mark 2:28 Mighty God - Is. 9:6 Only Wise God - Jude 25 Only Potentate - 1 Tim 6:15 Word of God - John 1:1, Rev 19:13 Keeper, Shade Upon Right Hand, Shield, Defender, Refuge, Fortress, High Tower, Ancient of Days, Creator, Friend, Glory and Lifter of my head, King of Glory, Lord Strong and Mighty, Lord of Hosts, Very Present Help in Trouble, Well of Salvation, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, Altogether Lovely, Balm of Gilead, Branch, Lilly of the Valley, Chiefest Among Ten Thousand, Defense, Deliverer, Desire of all Nations, Despised by the People, Diadem of Beauty, Fountain of Life, Friend that Sticketh Closer than a Brother, Refiner, Guide Even Unto Death, Helper of the Fatherless, Hiding Place, One Who Inhabits Eternity, Refiner's Fire, Refuge, Refuge in Times of Trouble, Refuge for the Oppressed, Refuge from the Storm, Reproach of Men, Resting Place, Reward for the Righteous, Righteous Branch, River of Water in a Dry Place, Rock that is Higher than I, Rock of My Refuge, Rod, Rose of Sharon, Scepter of Israel, Star out of Jacob, My Stay, Stone which the Builders Refused, Strength of My Life, Strong Tower from the Enemy, Sun of Righteousness, and many more.

Chrismon Service There are over 600 names of Jesus Christ and God the Father scattered throughout the Bible. It is a great exercise for the student of the Word to research each of these names, and to be familiar with the attributes of God contained in them. For years our church has decorated the Christmas Tree with emblems of the names of Christ, called "Chrismons." It makes for a wonderful celebration of who Jesus is. Check out our church web site and the names of Christ at Chrismon Service and 600 names of Jesus Exalt His Name Together The names of Christ are not only to be part of our Christmas celebrations but to be part of our worship and prayers. Worshipping the Lord exalting his wonderful name(s) is commanded in scripture. Check out how to worship using the name of the Lord at our PrayerToday web site

You ought to be able to remember these passages in order to call them to remembrance in the hour that you would need them. Strive to be familiar enough with each of them that you can give the gist of the passage without using your Bible.

I would also strongly suggest that you to write these passages in the fly leaf of your Bible so that they will be handy when you need them.

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Practical Worship Strategies

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1. Read Scripture that exalts Who He is. (Prime the pump with Scripture)

2. Sing songs to the Lord. (Sing out loud!)

3. Exalt His Names (Magnify his names)

4. Remember His mighty works. (think on)

5. Tell of His excellent greatness. (Rehearse it to Him)

6. Acknowledge His Sovereignty, Power, Wisdom, Control. (Lord you are…")

7. Physically express your worship and adoration. (Lift hands, lay prostrate, kneel)

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Alpha and Omega Praise

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Praise His name through the alphabet. Lift up and exalt God’s names beginning with A and end with Z. (Alpha and Omega - 26 Praises) Do it together in the congregation. Attempt to give 3-5 on each letter.

It is a wonderful experience, especially when people read their praise of Him from the Word. There are more than 600 names of God and the Lord Jesus Christ is Scripture. To review and rejoice in his name is to truly know him and make his splendor known. Believe me, you won’t run out of praises.

A = Ark, Alpha, Altogether lovely, Almighty God, Advocate, Author, Ancient of Days, Anchor
B = Bread, Balm of Gilead, Bright Morning Star, Breath, Beauty, Beginning, Best gift, Branch, Bride,
C = Creator, Captain, Comforter, Counselor
D = Door, Defender, Deliverer, Daystar
E = Everlasting Father, Everything to me, Earnest of our inheritance
F = Faithful High Priest, Father, Friend of Sinners, Firstborn, Fairest of 10,000, First and Last
G = God of All Comfort, Great God, Good Shepherd, Giver, Gift, Guide, Glory and Lifter of my head
H = Healer, Helper, Health, Holy One, Heir of all, High Priest, Hope of the ages
I = Immanuel, Invisible, Immortal, I Am
J = Judge, Jehovah-*, Jesus,
K = King of Kings, King - *, Keeper
L = Lover of my soul, Lord strong and mighty, Lord *, Lamb, Light Life, Lilly of Valley
M = Maker, Master, Marvelous One, Mighty God, Mediator
N = Never-failing God, Name above all names, Nest, New and living way
O = Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent
P = Protector, Provider, Physician, Prince of Peace, my Peace, Passover, Priest forever, Promise
Q = Quickening One, Quickening Spirit, Quietness and my confidence
R = Resurrection, Redeemer, Rock, Refuge, Righteous One, My Righteousness
S = Savior, Sanctifier, Sun, Shield, Shade, Shepherd, Sure, Shelter, Source
T = Teacher, Tower, Transformer, Truth
U = Unmovable, Unspeakable Gift, Upholder of all things,
V = Victor, Vine, Vision
W = Water, Wonderful, Way, Wisdom, Worthy, Wing under which I trust
X = Xcellent, Xaminer or my heart, Xray to whom all things are naked
Y = Yeshua, Yesterday, Today, Forever,
Z = Zeal of Lord,

Check out all 600 names of Jesus

Copyright 1992. All rights reserved. No portion of this may be copied, filed, or republished in any form without the express written consent of the author Richard W. LaFountain. It may be used in the church context for prayer training as long as the copyright and web address remains printed thereon.