How to Worship at Home

We all have memories that continue to shape us throughout our lives. For me, many of these memories took place on the small farm located between Lorie Lane and Jackson Creek in Falfa, Oklahoma. I have so many memories of wandering the woods and Potato Hills located near our property. I’d trek across the pasture fighting imaginary invaders for hours. I’d huddle in the barn surrounded by enemy soldiers looking out for my family. I’d crawl up and down the wooden corral by our barn and pretend I had to scale across this makeshift cliffside without touching the ground below. I always give thanks for having this kind of childhood.

One memory, however, stands out above all the rest. In fact, I often revisit it in my mind. Just northeast of the pasture in front of our barn was a little grove of trees surrounding a low marshy plot of ground. On one side was a small hillside and on the other was a thicket of trees and brush. It was always a little wet and well shaded, so moss grew heavily in that area. On one side, there was a large tree that had fallen, so you could easily sit and enjoy this little sanctuary. One particular day, for reasons I don’t remember, I spent time there in worship. I prayed to God. I sang a hymn or two out loud from our old church hymnal that I had memorized from years of worshipping consistently with our church. I don’t know the exact songs after all these years, but they were probably some of the hymns I knew best: The Old Rugged Cross, How Great Thou Art, or Victory in Jesus.

Over the years, I’ve been to retreats and at gatherings where speakers have said, “close your eyes and go to a special place where you encountered the presence of Jesus.” Many times, when I close my eyes, that’s where I go. In my mind, it was a place of pure worship. I didn’t do it because anyone but God was listening. I didn’t do it because I “had to.” As I reflect back, I think my motivation was simply that I felt the presence of God, and I knew the only adequate response was to enter into worship.

Scripture emphasizes that worship is primarily with others. Hebrews 10:25 (NLT) reminds us, “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” Jesus himself told his followers, “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:20 NIV. However, in seasons where we are prevented from those corporate gatherings, we are still able to worship.

The poetic worship of the Old Testament, exemplified in the Psalms, provides us with many examples. David cried out to God, “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God.” Psalm 42:1 (NIV). He continues, “By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me – a prayer to the God of my life.” Psalm 42:8. David wasn’t with others at night, but the songs of faith and prayer were still available to him!

So how do we worship during this season of separation, whether we are gathered with two or three or if we are living alone? Here are a few things I have learned over the years.

1.) Spend time in God’s word. 

In 2 Timothy 3:16, Paul writes, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” Spend time reading a chapter or two of scripture, which is the inspired word of God full of powerful promises and truth. If you’re gathering as a family, you can invite your children to do this out loud. If you’re living alone, read a chapter or two, perhaps even out loud. Reading aloud slows us down and engages the brain to create a memorable experience. It may be why I still remember that moment of worship when I was a child. I sang the songs of faith out loud!

2.) Listen to or sing songs of faith. 

I have noticed that my faith is always stronger when I saturate it with the things of God. How many of you have had a song stuck in your head? I would guess everyone reading this post has had that experience. With that in mind, is it more valuable to have Hey Macarena! stuck in your head or Be Thou My Vision? Since the lyrics of the former are in Spanish, I’ll just include the latter and let you decide!