"Come, let us bow down in worship." Psalm 95:6. Worship should be a daily part of the life of each believer. However, when we talk about worship we generally think about the corporate worship which usually happens when believers meet on Sundays. And, unfortunately, many folks today just think of the times of singing as worship. And while singing is certainly an important part of true worship, the times of prayer and opening the Word of God by spirit filled pastors are essential elements. But how do many folks approach the time of corporate worship? Unfortunately I don't think there is much preparation. We rush to get ourselves to church and into the sanctuary. Many come in late. We talk and do business during the prelude rather than pray and prepare our hearts. And with our minds thinking about plans for the day, we often find it hard to concentrate and be fully involved. Sometimes I think we just want to be entertained, but hopefully not for more than an hour. What a difference it would make if we came prayerfully with our hearts prepared and open. How often do we come with hearts prepared through prayer and with an expectation to meet with the Lord? How often have we asked the Lord to fill the pastor with the words that we really need? How often have we prayed for the needs of others who also will participate in worship? In many of yesterday's churches leaders would actually gather while the pastor was preaching to pray for power and clarity in his words, and for responsive listeners and souls changed for eternity. Even a spiritually mature pastor can accomplish nothing of lasting worth without the empowerment of the Holy Spirit: "For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost" (1 Thessalonians 1:5). George Atkins (1793-1927), a Methodist pastor who served in Ohio and Tennessee, penned the words of this week's hymn in 1819. It is one of the oldest published American folk hymns. In his words Atkins expressed the need for believers to prepare for and participate in worship by bathing themselves and others in prayer, something that is often missing with believers today. As God's Word is preached in purity and with spiritual power, we can expect His blessings. Atkins used manna, the miraculous provision of food for the Israelites in the wilderness, to symbolize God's answer to the church's prayers. How we long for such manna, this all-sustaining provision for every need, this solution to every problem in the ministry, and the fruit that is borne of our labors. This week may we examine how we approach our times of worship. May we desire to see God's manna scattered all around.
1. Brethren, we have met to worship
and adore the Lord our God;
Will you pray with all your power,
while we try to preach the Word?
All is vain unless the
Spirit of the Holy One comes down;
Brethren, pray, and holy manna
will be showered all around.
2. Brethren, see poor sinners round you
slumb'ring on the brink of woe;
Death is coming, hell is moving,
can you bear to let them go?
See our fathers and our mothers,
and our children sinking down;
Brethren, pray, and holy manna
will be showered all around.
3. Sisters, will you join and help us?
Moses' sister aided him;
Will you help the trembling mourners
who are struggling hard with sin?
Tell them all about the Savior,
tell them that He will be found;
Sisters, pray, and holy manna
will be showered all around.
4. Is there here a trembling jailer,
seeking grace, and filled with tears?
Is there here a weeping Mary,
pouring forth a flood of tears?
Brethren, join your cries to help them;
sisters, let your prayers abound;
Pray, oh, pray that holy manna
may be scattered all around.
5. Let us love our God supremely,
let us love each other, too;
Let us love and pray for sinners,
till our God makes all things new.
Then He'll call us home to Heaven,
at His table we'll sit down;
Christ will gird Himself and
serve us with sweet manna all around.
You can listen to it here. LISTEN
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