What really is worship?

[Traveler]

When I asked the question “Does G-d worship” – I hoped to stimulate deep spiritual thinking and not “shallow” “empirical” thinking. So now I want to change the focus a little and ask what truly is worship? Not the shallow fluff stuff that we say to perhaps justify ourselves or look good but true and honest actual worship.

Let me give an example: If we say prayer is worship – then it must be that all that pray are worshipping and that there is never a case where a prayer is not worship. So the test is – can someone do such a thing and hold back on true worship.

Another example is given in scripture with the recognition by Jesus of “the Widow’s mite”. With this example Jesus taught that it was possible for the widow do worship with her pittance when the giving of plenty by the wealthy was not worship or a false worship. Thus just giving donations is not worship.

Another example given in scripture is that not all, that call upon the L-rd, do so in worship. Jesus said in essence that not every one that cries L-rd, L-rd is doing so out of worship.

Another example sort of given in scripture – Believing in G-d and believing in the power and might of G-d is not really worship because even the devils believe in G-d and in his power and might – but they do not worship him.

So what really is worship?

The Traveler

[hordak]

Worship is something between A man or woman and God. It can't be defined because it is different for everyone.

[candyprpl]

Thanks Traveler -- I like topics that get me thinking and searching.

This pretty much sums it up for me -- Quote by Neal A. Maxwell -- "The ultimate adoration is emulation, which helps us to become like those we worship."

True Christian worship is characterized by sincerity (Alma 33:11; 2 Nephi 31:13), humility (Alma 32:12-16; Alma 34:38), love for one's neighbor (Alma 34:28-29; Moro. 7:48; 1 John 4:20), and obedience to God's commandments (Alma 34:32:37; 2 Nephi 31:10). Paramount is the acknowledgment that redemption comes through Jesus Christ (Alma 34:8; Mosiah 3:17).

True worship presupposes a knowledge of the truth of God and his laws. Jesus told the Samaritan woman at the well: "Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews." (John 4:22.) Our Lord revealed anew some of the writings of John -- writings which explained how Christ himself had worked out his own salvation, finally receiving all power in heaven and on earth -- and then he said: "I give unto you these sayings that you may understand and know how to worship, and know what you worship, that you may come unto the Father in my name, and in due time receive of his fulness." (D&C 93:6-20.) Unless men know God and his laws they cannot "worship him in spirit and in truth" (John 4:24), and there is no salvation in any other kind of worship. (bold added.)

Deity is worshiped in prayer, song, sermon, and testimony; by the making of covenants, offering of sacrifices, performance of ordinances, and the participation in religious rituals and ceremonies; he is worshiped by man's act of believing divine truths, by his being converted to them in their fulness; he may be worshiped in thought, word, and deed. But the most perfect of all worship comes from those who first believe the gospel, who then participate in its outward forms, and who finally keep the standards of personal righteousness that appertain to it. Bruce R. McConkie

Yes, Sunday is set aside as a day of worship -- but true worship comes from living the gospel.

Edited November 19, 2009 by candyprpl

[puf_the_majic_dragon]

Ooooh you going to show us how to worShip? yeah that reference probably went over EVERYONE's head....

In my own experience, I've found it helpful to use a more... mortal? use of the term "worship". Maybe it's cause I'm such a hopeless romantic...

You find the love-smitten poet who adores a woman and he says that he worships her - what is he saying? That she occupies his thoughts constantly. That his only desire is for what pleases, helps, or uplifts her. That he has lost himself in her. That he would do anything for her.

Apply this to God. Does He occupy your thoughts constantly? Is your only desire for what pleases, helps, and uplifts Him and His work? Would you do anything for Him and have you lost yourself in Him?

I don't think particular rituals or actions have anything to do with worship, it's ALL a matter of the heart. With an eye single to the glory of God.

[Vort]

When I asked the question “Does G-d worship” – I hoped to stimulate deep spiritual thinking and not “shallow” “empirical” thinking. So now I want to change the focus a little and ask what truly is worship? Not the shallow fluff stuff that we say to perhaps justify ourselves or look good but true and honest actual worship.

Let me give an example: If we say prayer is worship – then it must be that all that pray are worshipping and that there is never a case where a prayer is not worship.

Not so. If I say that eating is a form of nutrification, it need not follow that all eating is nutritious. I can eat cotton candy, dirt, or animal excrement without experiencing nutritional content. Still, when I take in nutrition, it is typically done by eating.

Similarly, true prayer is indeed worship, even if it's possible to pray in a non-worshipful way.

So what really is worship?

I'd say that worship is the adoration and veneration of God. That is the real core of worship. So to ask if God worships is to ask if God adores and venerates God. This is obviously true in the case of Jesus Christ, but not of the Father.

[Just_A_Guy]

I'm very fond of the answer Lattelady offered a couple of days ago:

We talked about worship briefly in another thread, and someone asked what is worship and how do we worship, specifically. I finally found a good way to explain what I mean: I bring pleasure to God, how ever I choose to do that, (as long as it is something that would honor Him), and that IS worship. Anything I purpose to do to bring Him pleasure is worship.

10 things I might do to worship: 1)sing songs to Him that tell Him how AMAZING He is to me 2)teach my kids about God's character 3)listen to a sermon about Him and really HEAR IT and APPLY it 4)give food and clothing to the less fortunate 5)write a song from my heart straight to God 6)pray and tell God the things I'm thankful for this week 7)submit to my husband's leading in some area of our marriage 8)visit my sick friend and share some encouragement with her from God's Word 9)tithe on Sunday and thank God for His faithful provision 10) Bless the food that we're about to eat for dinner as a family, and thank God that we always have what we need.

My point in all that is that worship shouldn't be just a PART of our lives--something we do on Sunday, or just one day a week--but it should BE our life. Like King David said, "I will bless the Lord at all times.

His praise shall continually be in my mouth." Psalm 34:1

[prisonchaplain]

The first activity I think of in relation to worship is singing. Singing in itself is not worship, but when the lyrics direct me in prayer, praise, and adoration of my God, and I sing with my heart aimed towards him, I'm worshiing. We often even refer to such times in church as "the worship time." I'm not sure worship can be defined as an activity, but rather when we dedicate to the Lord.

[Seminarysnoozer]

I think worship is any activity that helps one develop love, adoration of God as many have already said. The practice of worshiping though I think is to help us eventually do everything with God's purpose in mind. I think its the only way to work towards full heart, might, mind and strength love of God, through Jesus Christ' gospel. It's to get to the point of every 'mundane' activity of every day with God's purpose as the main motivation in our lives. Without worship we drift to selfish causes, that is our 'natural' self.

[ozzy]

I do not think that worship can be defined into any given activity. I believe that all activities that are stereotypically worship are easily done without being worship. To use Traveler's example of prayer, the scriptures say this:

But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

(New Testament | Matthew 6:7)

In short, yes it is possible to pray and not worship.

True worship, in my mind, is the turning of ones entire attitude, devotion, activities, heart, might, mind, strength, being, etc. to the Lord. Of course there are activities that help with this and are excellent manifestations of worship when done with the right attitude and feeling. Prisonchaplain mentioned one of my personal favorites. As is said in the scriptures:

For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads.

(Doctrine and Covenants | Section 25:12)

I suppose that worship can be summed into a thought, word, and/or deed that delights the Lords soul.

[Kishkumen_Called]

To me, worship is offering up my will, the only thing I truly own. As I align my will with His, I am worshipful. As I offer up my broken heart and contrite spirit, I worship. Obviously, this has more to do with the state of my mind, heart, and intentions than with actual activity

I don't find contradiction in this. As I play with my child, eat a meal, interact with a co-worker - all of these things allow me the opportunity of worshipping God by obeying His commandments. However, the opposite is also true - partaking the Sacrament, attending the temple, or reading the scriptures can all be done in a non-worshipful manner. I think the activity has less to do with worship than the spirit in which it is done (outside the obvious no-no's).

Cheers

[Traveler]

Perhaps I will add another thought. Many posters realize that Jesus worshiped but they do not think that the Father worships. I find this interesting. Mostly because their logic seems to be based entirely on their individual opinions but most Christian thinkers are skeptical of formulating religious notions based primarily on opinion.

Some things I have found interesting so may I add some personal observations? For many years I have researched the concepts of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost in the Christian G-d head. I have found scripture that relates only to the Son and only to the Holy Ghost but I have never found a scripture that relates only to the Father. This has caused me to wonder and ponder. Why are there no scriptures about the Father? Why in ignorance do we worship the Father? Because I have sought understanding – I believe I have been given some understanding.

It is also interesting to me that should I offer some understanding that there is opposition. Mostly by those that have not sought understanding and to be honest it appears that not only do they not seek understanding – they do not what it, if it is offered.

What do we know of the Father? He was not the creator or the means of creation – Jesus (the Word) was. The Father is not our savior or our redeemer – Jesus is. What then, about the Father makes him G-d the Father? What did he do that we worship him and not Jesus (according to Jesus)? Is it not interesting that Jesus told us not to worship him but to worship the Father but Jesus never told us why?

The Traveler

[Moksha]

Believing in G-d and believing in the power and might of G-d is not really worship because even the devils believe in G-d and in his power and might – but they do not worship him.

On the other hand, do we worship that which we do not believe?

[lattelady]

Traveler,

Some thoughts about God the Father:

1) Jesus said the Father is "greater than [Jesus, Himself]." (John 14:28)

2) Jesus said that He was the Vine, but that the FATHER was the "Husbandman"--the tender of the Vine--pointing to His greater-ness :) again. (John 15:1)

3)The Father was the one that Jesus submitted His will to. (Luke 22:42).

4) Jesus gave glory to the Father (John 17:4)

5) God the Father sent Jesus to earth to do a specific work/job (John 17:4)

6)God the Father is the one who blesses us with every spiritual blessings by/or in Jesus. Jesus' death, burial and resurrection--and our acceptance of that through faith makes this possible. (Ephesians 1"4-6

7)God the Father can give us the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him (Eph. 1:16 and 17)

8)God the Father is the one who exercised the power to raise Jesus Christ from the dead (Eph.1:20)

9)God the Father is the one who put all things under Christ's feet and made Him head over all things (Eph. 1:21-23)

10) Through God the Father's wisdom, and His eternal purposes, we have everything that we do possess, can possess and will possess. (Eph. 3:9-12). The Apostle Paul under inspiration from God wrote Ephesians and he teaches us who to "bow the knee to"--the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He deserves our worship. (Eph. 3:14), as does His Son Jesus Christ.

Edited November 28, 2009 by lattelady

[Justice]

lattelady, it almost sounds as if you are arguing that Christ and the Father are separate Beings. :)

[lattelady]

Justice,

I realize that the Trinity is a difficult doctrine, but the Bible still teaches it, and I still believe it and accept it by faith.