From "Producing Godly Worship" (Heavenward Bound, July 2026)
This month’s issue of HB focuses on the question of how we may present, produce, or offer worship that is focused on God, pleasing to God, and according to God’s will. Anything less is self-service.
Genesis 24.26-27 ESV: “The man bowed his head and worshiped the LORD...”
Note the posture of the servant of Abraham that is assumed before he engages in worship. Prostrating oneself, or bowing down in respect and honor, is more than just an adjustment of body position: It is an indication of one’s attitude toward worship. We see throughout the Bible individuals bowing down to engage in worship (2 Ch. 7.3; Matt. 2.11; Acts 10.25). While the specific bodily position may be a cultural rather than a spiritual requirement, the notion of humbling oneself is an essential aspect of worship.
We bow down and prostrate ourselves before the King in a number of ways.
Prostrate the Body
Abraham’s servant indicates that what we do with our body in worship matters. The most basic way we prostrate our bodies is by actually presenting ourselves for worship. The early Christians gathered together for worship (Heb. 10.15-17). To do so honorably and respectfully one must dress for the occasion. If torn shorts and a “AC/DC” t-shirt would not serve as appropriate apparel to visit the Oval Office, why would one wear it to worship the King of Kings?
“...let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.” (Heb. 12.28b) One’s preparation to worship indicates their attitude toward the occasion.
Prostrate the Mind
The prostrate body must be paired with the bowing down, the prostration, of the mind. Consider Paul’s admonition of the Corinthians (1 Cor. 11.27-30). They were told to observe the Lord’s supper in a way that discerns the body of Christ. The Supper could be PHYSICALLY partaken of in such a way that their worship was of an “unworthy manner”, due to the status of their mind (v.27). When singing and praying, do you dwell on the words? Are you engaged in the worship? Mindfulness is focusing one's awareness on the present moment. The MIND must be BOWED in worship, perhaps with more vigilance than the body.
Prostrate the Heart
The heart that is prostrate will offer worship that is zealous, passionate, and intense. This will bear out in our singing, our prayers, our attention to what is said and taught, our focus on the Lord’s supper, and our joyfulness at the prospect of giving. This isn’t to say that we should abandon decorum and decency in worship: “But all things should be done decently and in order.” (1 Cor. 14.40). Remember: A heart that is not fully committed to worship paired with lips that honor God is abhorrent to God (Matt. 15.8). The worship of the Pharisees was in vain because the teaching and lives of the Pharisees was not in accordance with God’s will. If our intent is to gather to produce Godly worship, our hearts must be prostrate before the LORD in our lives outside of services too.
In Luke 18 Jesus told a story of two men who went into the Temple to pray. The self-righteous Pharisee stood praising himself, but the tax collector humbled himself, lowered his eyes and beat his breast.
Remember this story next time you seek to worship that same God.
Kyle Sanders
Kyle has been preaching since 2016 in Chiefland, Florida and Clinton, Mississippi before coming to work with the Jamestown church of Christ in 2021. Before preaching, he spent several years as a high school mathematics teacher in Indiana, Kentucky, and Florida. Kyle is a teacher at heart and brings his love of studying and interacting with students into his preaching and teaching efforts. He and his wife, a native Hoosier, have been blessed with five children, two dogs, a full house and zero leftovers.