The essence of worship is simply to focus on God's character and learn to praise our Father with complete integrity of heart. According to John Stott in his book Christ the Controversialist: A Study in Some Essentials of Evangelical Religion, true worship is the "highest and noblest activity of which man, by the grace of God, is capable".
Being a worship leader, however, requires a real gifting from God and a desire to keep seeking Him in The Secret Place. The following themed ideas may help worship preparation if you are aware of the sermon content for the service. However, nothing can compare to a reliance on The Holy Spirit each time you lead worship.
God's Holiness
- Jesus, Name above all Names - Nadia Hearn, Songs of Fellowship 3, page 1395
- God of Wonders - Mar Byrd and Steve Hindalong, Soul Survivor Songbook 2, page118
- Before the Throne of God Above - Cook and Bancroft, Songs of Fellowship 3, page 1187
- Take all the Glory - Matt Hooper, Send Me Songbook, Abundant Life Music
Our Need for God
- Be Thou my Vision - Mary Byrne, Eleanor Hull, the Source 1, page 50
- From the Inside Out - Joel Houston, United We Stand Songbook, Hillsong Music.
- Oh, Breath of Life - Andrew Roner, Hymns and Psalms, page 777
- Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone) - Louis Giglio, Chris Tomlin et al Kingswayworship.co.uk
- Come Heal This Land - Robin Mark, Integrity's Hosanna Music
God's Compassion
- God of Justice (We Must Go) - Tim Hughes, Soul Survivor Songbook 3, page 34
- The Lord is Gracious and Compassionate - Graham Ord, The Source 1
- When all Around is Fading (Whole World in His Hands) - Tim Hughes Kingswayworship.co.uk
- Filled With Compassion - Noel Richards, Tricia Richards, The Source 1 page 105
- Faithful Friend - Steve Curtis Chapman and Twila Paris, EMI Christian Music Publishing
Our Response to God
- Jesus the Name High Over All - Charles Wesley, Hymns and Psalms, Methodist Publishing House
- May the Words of My Mouth - Tim Hughes, Soul Survivor Songbook 2 page 122
- Strength Will Rise - Brenton Brown, Tim Riley, Kingswayworship.co.uk
- A Life of Love (Led to the Lost) - David Gate, Soul Survivor Songbook 2 page 73
- Made me Glad - Miriam Webster, Hillsong Music
Sometimes it is good to put on a CD and allow the congregation to simply listen to a worshipful song. God can really meet people in that quiet place of solitude and contemplation.
Songs For Personal Contemplation
- Everything Cries Holy - Robin Mark
- Miracle Maker - Delirious? "King of Fools"
- We Will Glorify - Twila Paris
- The Cross - Phatfish "The Mission Bell"
Sources:
- Stott, J (1970) Christ the Controversialist: A Study in Some Essentials of Evangelical Religion. p160
- Kingsway Worship. Information Retrieved 22nd October 2010
- You may also like to read about Learning to Pray
Linda Smallwood - Hi my name is Linda Smallwood. I am married with two sons aged 13 and 11 and live in North Wales. After 18 years working for The ...
