Why do we spend so much time in worship? Here’s why: “Oh come, and let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.” (Psalm 95:6) “Bless the Lord, I say to myself; and all that is within me, bless His holy name!” (Psalm 103:1)
Worship is the natural response to God from people who are thankful for what they’ve received. God is kind. He is good! He is not frugal but lavishes His love on His children and blesses them generously. How to repay Him for sending us His Son? We can’t. But we can worship Him with heartfelt love.
How to worship God? “The hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is a Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:23-24)
Spirituality involves spontaneity. Praise is impromptu: without preparation or premeditation. Liturgy and form have their place, but should not restrict expressions of love springing from grateful hearts.
Why do we raise hands while praying and praising? “This is how I will bless you while I live: I will lift up my hands in your name.” (Psalm 63:4) “So I desire that believers pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, free from doubt and anger.” (1 Timothy 2:8)
The raising of opened hands is the universally accepted sign of complete surrender. Christians do it as a declaration to God of hands that are clean from illegal or immoral acts.
Why do we clap our hands? “Clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with the voice of triumph!” (Psalm 47:1) Loyal subjects clap their hands when royalty appears (2 Kings 11:12). Why not clap Jesus, the King of Israel and soon to be King of kings? (John 1:49)
“Happy clappers”? Sure! What’s wrong with doing in church meetings what people do after hearing speeches at wedding receptions, school graduations and other gala occasions? (Not to mention sports events!)