Why we worship

Written by: Liz Claudio, Cielo and Peejay Pabalan of Favor Church

There is a song that everyone at church just loves to sing together. It is like our “battle song” – whenever that song plays at church, we would all just be on our feet, pacing around, jumping, and shouting praises to the Lord. The song is “Raise a Hallelujah” by Bethel Music.

As one church, singing this song gives us courage for the battle ahead. It reminds that as long as God is on our side, getting us ready and equipped for battle, we can claim victory. That is what worship means to us -- it’s a reminder, a gift, a weapon, and we need it now, more than ever.

The last couple of months have been difficult in different ways for everyone. Most of us find ourselves at a loss and uncertain of the future. How does one prepare for a journey when you don’t know where you are going? How do you equip yourself for a battle when you can’t even see your enemy?

We are reminded of a story in 2 Chronicles 20, where King Jehoshaphat found out that a “great multitude” was coming against him and God’s people. His response? He prayed and said to God, “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”

When we worship, we fix our eyes on God. Whenever we worship as a church community, we are reminded that our great God is in full control. While there are certain things that are beyond our control, worshiping together allows us to pull the reality of heaven into our lives and into our current situations.

Worship is a declaration that God is in the midst of all that is happening in our world today, a powerful weapon against any lie that says God is not in control or that he is not able.

Worshiping together teaches us to submit and surrender all our cares to God – our priorities, plans, hopes, dreams, and even our fears. Worship and prayer are not a guarantee that our problems and situations will change immediately, but it will definitely help change and direct our hearts and perspective in life towards God. Being able to worship is also a blessing because it gives comfort for our present, and hope for our future.

Above all, we value worship because of this main reason: God is worthy of our worship. We will face different seasons in our lives and that is normal. In fact, what is “normal” could change, just as we are seeing now. But God’s lordship, love, mercy, and faithfulness will not.

We anchor our full attention, values, and align ourselves in this truth: we worship because God is deserving and most worthy of our praise. Our passion for worship is not based on and not limited to what we feel at the moment, but it is a time when we strip ourselves of any selfish agenda, take the attention off ourselves, and completely and wholeheartedly focus on God.

Worship is our gift to the Lord.

We were invited by World Vision to participate in “Songs of Hope”, an online fundraising concert featuring worship teams of other churches. We felt honored and blessed to be among other Christ-believers, sharing that time of remembrance and strengthening everyone who worshiping with us with positive messages of hope, songs of praise, and heartfelt prayers. We believe that there is power in corporate worship, especially as when we do it as one united Church, lifting up the name of God in the middle of our circumstances.

World Vision’s efforts in bringing us together remind us that we should not give up on worship, even as we continue to be the hands and feet of Jesus in our communities. Worshiping with joy and gladness as we work, serve, and as we go about our everyday lives is the best tool, gift, and blessing we can carry with us on this journey. We hope that everyone who had joined us for “Songs of Hope” felt just as refreshed and encouraged as we do.