Five Elements of Worship

When worship is mentioned what come to mind? It is the music? Is it the message? Even though most of the focus regarding worship leans toward music. It is important to remember that there is more to a worship service that just the music portion. There are several ways in which we express our worship to God. In this section we will take a look at five different elements that gives the worshipper a fuller experience in the worship service. These items include the following: Singing, Praying, Preaching, Giving and Communion. Let us first start off with singing.
Singing

Ephesians 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

Most would agree that worship incorporates the act of singing. This is a physical action that allows worshippers to express though songs what is their heart. Even though singing is using our voice, it is quite different than just talking. Perhaps the most unique thing about singing is the ability for a group of people to express their worship in unison. With singing a group of worshippers can corporately say to God their expression of praise, gratitude, and thanksgiving. Everyone can at the same time communicate to God. An offering can be made by the church as a whole. Singing can provide the worshipper with a greater ability to use emotions. Music has the most unique property to create moods and emotions though the various combinations of melody, tempo. Music is a language all its own.
Praying

Matthew 6:7-15 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Prayer is simply communication with God. This you need to know; God wants to hear from you. He wants a full relationship. Prayer allows you to talk with God directly. Some elements of prayer can be a form of worship. Prayer is the door of open communication with God. Prayer can be silent, it can be said aloud so that others can agree. It can even be sung to God. When it comes to prayer I like to use the acrostic "ACTS". This stand for four important elements of effective prayer. These are the four elements:
A = Adoration
C = Confession
T = Thanksgiving
S = Supplication

Adoration in Prayer

Take some time at the beginning of your prayer to offer adoration to God. Tell Him how much you love and appreciate The Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It is so important to affirm your love. So often Christian blast into prayer by asking for things for themselves. A better way is to start our and tell God in what ways you love Him

Confession in Prayer

Your heart needs to be in the right place when praying to God. Face it humans are sinful by nature. Confession is a form of acknowledgement of what is truthful. Most often we confess our sins. It is better to confess that to let God "find out". If we confess our sins he is faithful to forgive us. But I also want to add another perspective to confession. Something that can add another dimension to the attitude of confession. That is to confess the greatness of God. Make confessions of faith. Confess the truth!

Thanksgiving in Prayer.

God has abundant resources available to every Christian. He desires to lavish you with all that he has to offer. The polite thing to do is to thank Him for all the great things he does in your life. Thank God for everything and every circumstance.

Supplication in Prayer

As I said earlier it is common for Christians to heap on the requests to God. God give me this, God give me that. Supplication is your request for something. Prayer needs balance. Often times it is the supplication that Christians spend a majority of time. It is okay to ask. The Bible says to ask. But this should not be the focus. You prayers should be according to God