We’ve all been there. Sunday morning, Saturday night, Sunday night, Wednesday night, Tuesday at 2:30am…you’re in worship and you’re singing the words. But you’re not singing the words.

I have to admit, that there are times when I catch myself leading our church in worship and I realize in the middle of a song that I’m just singing. I know the words, I know the chords, so I sing. Then it hits me. Why am I not singing?

What I mean is that my sin is misleading me and directing me away from the connection of singing honestly and humbly.

Don’t get me wrong, if this happens to you, don’t worry, God is certainly still working in and through you. Christ has forgiven you, clothed you in righteousness and made you His child, but this verse speaks huge things: Hebrews 10:21-23 “and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

When you are singing a song to the Lord, it more than words: it is a conversation with your Heavenly Father, a prayer to The One Who daily saves you, a willing desire to know Him more. When I imagine myself in his beautiful throneroom, surrounded by His overwhelming, indescribable Love, how would I sing those words then? When I look upon His face, when I see His glory…I realize I have nothing to give Him, He gave it all to me. Myself and songs of offering and praise from a forgiven, sincere heart are I have.

So, I always pray something like this before worship: Lord, set my heart and my mind on You, that my worship and words would be all to Your glory.

And in those times when I feel so attacked and my sinful heart is struggling to worship, I am always comforted by Romans 8:26 “And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.” You can’t do it on your own- what comfort that brings.

Then there are those times when you realize and feel it is the Spirit leading you and the crashing wave of God’s people singing fills the room and washes over you…from time to time, when I’m caught up in those moments, my voice fails me and my worship becomes more than a song could ever express: it’s a relationship.

Lord, speak through us with your Loving Spirit when our mouths fail us and help us to FULLY SING Your praises with sincere hearts every day. We want to worship You alone. Amen.