Worship
Verb
Show reverence and adoration
“As we pour ourselves out in worship of Him, He pours Himself into us. As you open your heart to Him in praise, He enlarges your heart’s capacity to receive His love, peace, joy, and power. As you let the joy of the Lord rise in your heart, it crowds out fear, anxiety, and doubt. As you set your mind to focus on Him, He takes away confusion and gives you clarity. As you set aside your weariness and cares and worship Him, He renews, refreshes, enlightens and frees you from whatever has restricted you. As you offer to Him all that is within you, He fills you with Himself and fulfills your need for intimacy. As you lift your hands and heart to Him, He lifts you above the circumstances that concern you. As you break your silence and worship Him aloud, He breaks the chains that imprison you.
Worship is speaking all the reasons God is worthy of being exalted“
– Stormie Omartian, Lead Me, Holy Spirit
We practice different forms of creative worship often and try to grow in each form. From the beginning, at training camp, we’ve been challenged to try new ways of worshiping Him. For example, our first challenge was to worship God while we eat, thank Him for our taste buds, and the delicious food we get to experience. I love food, so this one was fun for me. However, my favorite will always be good old worship music! I love spotify and to plug my headphones in and just enjoy praising our creator. I love when lyrics speak to me, and that can relate to life. I made a list of worship songs that are helping me through The Race, both new songs and ones I grew up listening to. If the lyrics are good, I’ll never grow tired of a song. So here they are:
1. Mary Mary- Cant Give Up Now
“I don’t believe Hes brought me this far to leave me”
As it is now month 8 on the race, I feel myself being tired more easily. This song always helps me to refocus and let the LORD help me through my struggles.
2. Lacrae feat. Mali Music- Tell the World
” Just let me tell the truth and let these folks know that I have seen Your love
and its EVERLASTING, INFINITE It goes on and on,
you can’t measure it Can’t quench Your love”
The way HE loves us. It makes me wanna tell the world, like a billboard 😉
I had a conversation with my squad leader Kylee the other day about how I felt selfish on the days I took for myself to grow in my relationship with the LORD. I said “I traveled so far, I’ve been helped by so many with fundraising, and yet there are days where I am the one getting HIS focus.” Kylee so lovingly reminded me that God loves us that MUCH. He would help us raise that much money, take us to the other side of the world just to show us new things, and for us to rely soley on Him. HE pursues us everyday, that is something to worship!
3. for KING & COUNTRY- The Proof of Your LOVE
” Let my life be the proof, the proof of your love, let my love look like YOU, and what you’re made of”
This song is based off one of my FAVORITE chapters in the bible. 1 Corinthians 13.
We can do so much, but if we don’t do it with love does it really count? God has done so much for us but out of the LOVE He has for us.
4. Third Day- Offering
” I stand in awe of all I’ll see, of all the things You have created, but still You CHOOSE to think of me”
Again the love He has for us is so powerful, so deep, so pure. So I want to give my life completely to the one who gave HIS for me. I will follow where He calls me, and tough it out when I’m sick, and think I want to come home.
I remember when I was young my mom played the song Thief, also by Third Day, and she tried to explain to me, a 9 year old, all about how much Jesus loved us. She reminded me how He was beaten, and mocked, and hung on the cross, and at any time He could have called on His Father to make it all stop, and we would have to face the full consequences of our sins, but He endured, for US. So who am I to let a little street food sickness take back my commitment to Him on this race. My mom knew how to get through to me, and it is still a conversation I hold close.
5. Casting Crowns – East to West
“I know you’ve washed me white, turned my darkness to light”
The enemy loves to tell me I am not worthy of the love, peace, grace, and joy our Lord has for us. I will randomly feel him reminding me of my sins. This song is how I fight him when I struggle. Jesus cast our sins as far as the East is from the West.
6. Will Reagan- Set a fire
“No place I would rather be, Than here in YOUR LOVE“
This song is so simple, yet so powerful. I feel these words in my heart, because I have been able to experience His love for us, and I know He has more in store!
7. Gaither Vocal Band- My Lord and I
“Walk and talk all the way to Glory, Walk and tell the blessed old story, walk and talk all the way to Glory, MY LORD and I“
Oh, the Gaithers. I just love all their songs. When I was young I could always count on my Gma and Pa to have a Gaither’s CD in the player and ready for any car ride! But this particular song, not only does it make me wanna dance, and make me joyful, it also is a definite reminder that I am never alone, never walking, fighting or hurting alone. My LORD is always with me.
8. Zach Williams- Song of Deliverance
“I will lift my hands, and drop these chains, walk out free in JESUS name”
Our God is a chain breaker, He paid our debts. We are FREE because of HIM. Another wonderful reason to worship Him, and another one that gets my spirit excited!
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. -JOHN 8:36
9. Elevation Worship- O Come to the Alter
“Come today there’s no reason to wait, JESUS is calling, bring your sorrows and trade them for JOY”
The hard part of us attaining everlasting life with our LORD is over. Jesus bore our sins on the cross, and is just waiting for us now. All we have to do is believe wholeheartedly and accept all that God has for us.
Therefore He is able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, because He at all times lives to make intercession for them. -Hebrews 7:25
10. Kirk Franklin- Stomp
“Makes me clap my hands. Makes me wanna dance and stomp. My brother can’t you see I got the VICTORY.”
First of all there ain’t no party like a Holy Ghost Party! Glory! Glory! This is another one that makes me want to dance, and share the joy I have received from our savior! This one also brings back good memories with my crazy, in a fun way, aunts driving around in the van.
11. Anthony Evans- Ever Be
“Faithful you have been, and faithful you will be You pledged yourself to me”
Who doesn’t enjoy a good dance remix?? 🙂 He WILL be praised. He is WORTHY of all of our praises.
I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise will continually be in my mouth -Psalm 34:1
So those are just 11 songs that help me through my 11 months. Because I know as I praise the Lord, He is preparing my heart for what He has for me.
I’d love to hear what songs help you through tough days, and what songs you love when you’re overflowing with joy, and whatever songs speak to your heart. Tell them to me in the comments and I will listen! <3
A playlist of these 11 songs is available on Youtube. Check it out 🙂
