Have you considered intercession as a form of worship? We voice our prayers to God, not to remind him of our needs, but that we might recognize the answers that He gives and offer thanks to Him for these answers. He wants to hear our requests because He wants to prove to us that He is the living God. Hebrews 4:16 compels us to "draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need."

Intercession is so important to God that Jesus offered up prayers of intercession. Hebrews 5:7 says that, "during the days of Jesus life on earth he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save Him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission." He prayed for himself, for deliverance from death, and that prayer was answered in His resurrection. He prayed for his friends, in John 17 Jesus said, "I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours." And, He prayed for us, "I pray also for those who will believe in me." Griffith Thomas, in his book, Life Abiding and Abounding, says this about intercession, "It is the attitude of a worshiper, of one who is turned towards God with all his heart and soul."

A fourth form of self-giving in worship is bringing to God our tithes and offerings. Tithing will test whether our worship is really self-giving, because it exposes the fear in our hearts that leads us to protect our source of supply. Most of us receive our money as a result of time and labor, so when we give our money we are giving a part of ourselves. Jack Taylor says, "We are acknowledging that we belong to God and that [tithing] is a normal exercise within the framework of that relationship."

In 1 Chronicles 29, David called on the people to give to provide for the building of the temple for the Lord. David’s prayer of response to this offering is found in 1 Chronicles 29:14, printed above. The result of their giving so generously was a party in the presence of the Lord. Verse 22 says, "They ate and drank with great joy in the presence of the Lord that day." God blessed them, and they returned the blessings through offerings, and he blessed them again, with His presence.

Worship God today by lifting up those around you in prayer, and remembering to give offerings to Him. Tomorrow I want us to look at our acts of mercy as a form of worship.