Prepared or Unprepared?

            In reading Gospel Worship this week I had to do a lot of self-examination. I found the chapter on preparing for worship to be convicting for me personally. Jeremiah Burroughs talks about the men who “let out their heart” and become wrapped up in their business of everyday life.(68) Because of their business they are not prepared for what God is trying to teach them. We are not really taking pleasure in being with God if we are not able to prepare our hearts to receive His teaching. Another thing that stuck out to me is when we are worshipping God we are sanctifying Him, also we need to make sure He is getting the glory He deserves. (75) I also found what Burroughs said on page 77 very thought provoking as well. The author is basically saying that God is looking for us to lift worship above everything else. So when we come to worship we need to be giving Him our whole hearts and not just a part.

What are the things in our lives, that may be pleasing to God, but we forget to use them for worshiping God? What is the church doing to encourage preparation for worship in their congregation?