The primary focus in worship is remembering in Whose presence we are and what He deserves.  We can’t give the level of worship the angelic cherubim and seraphim give, but they represent models and standards of what worship involves—undistracted and undistracting worship (cf., Isaiah 6: 4-6, Ezekiel 10: 1-22).

Dr. Carl R. Trueman wrote in “The Protestant Difference: “The Catholic and Orthodox churches are winning over evangelical Protestants looking for more profound, reverent, and beautiful forms of worship.”  The word “reverent” is one worth striking us all.  As a life-long Reformed Faith Christian, I can’t help but observe a diminishment of “reverence” in many of our churches.  There are various practices that have affected our worship, but one in particular stands out to me as quite worrisome, due to its lack of awe and wonder, and that is the loss of genuine respect that is due to God in worship.

Look at how national leaders, whether chancellors, presidents, royalty, etc., receive visitors who practice propriety when visiting them.  Propriety means: “The quality or state of being proper or suitable: appropriateness” (Merriam-Webster). When we have the occasion to visit kings, queens, presidents, and others of high station, we generally do so suitably attired and without drink or food in our hands. When the President of the United States addresses Congress, with Supreme Court justices and other dignitaries present, as the TV cameras scan the audience it is clear that no one is holding or sipping drinks.

When it comes to the worship of God, different groups reveal their reverence by evident practices.  Take for instance the three monotheistic faiths: Jewish, Muslim, and Christian.  When visiting a synagogue or temple, modest attire is required, head coverings, and there is no eating or drinking.  A Jewish friend agreed it would be disrespectful to bring food or drink into a shul. The same is true of mosques, which also includes removing shoes, silence, no shorts or sleeveless tops, to respect the sanctity of the place. In other words, there is a sense of being in the presence of G-d or Allah (their forms of addressing God).

Having resided on two continents, working with diverse races and ethnicities, and attending different denominational churches, nowhere did anyone bring drinks into worship.  I had a friend and colleague from Zanzibar who was a convert from Islam who displayed a strong reverence for God.  When praying he would always uncross his legs saying one does not go into God’s presence casually.

Dr. Trueman commented on how, “The Catholic and Orthodox churches are winning over evangelical Protestants.”  This is understandable in light of what is allowed in many of our churches. There, too, I found Catholics stunned to by the casual nature permitted in so many of our evangelical worship services.  Orthodox Christians are so involved in standing, kneeling, and sitting that it would be both impractical as well as offensive to be drinking or sipping in such a reverent atmosphere.  It’s reasonable to see why many evangelicals would seek out those more reverent forms of worship.

Worship is primarily focused on Almighty God, not our comfort.  While on tour in Scandinavia visiting some of the old Norse churches, we learned people stood throughout the whole worship services. In the past, it appears that believers were more prone to accept personal sacrifices in order to show their honor, respect, and reverence toward God in worship.

The primary focus in worship is remembering in Whose presence we are and what He deserves.  We can’t give the level of worship the angelic cherubim and seraphim give, but they represent models and standards of what worship involves—undistracted and undistracting worship (cf., Isaiah 6: 4-6, Ezekiel 10: 1-22). Our majestic, holy Triune God is worthy of our full attention for those short periods of time we give to Him. We worship the One who is “the King of kings.”  This should enflame our desire to present ourselves with reverence in our worship.

Let’s restore a true sense of reverence and awe, obedience and sacrifice, as well as joy and thanksgiving in our worship.

“Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let’s show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12: 28-29).

Helen Louise Herndon is a member of Central Presbyterian Church (EPC) in St. Louis, Missouri. She is freelance writer and served as a missionary to the Arab/Muslim world in France and North Africa.