Which Father do I Worship?
Is it really important how I worship? How I display my Love for God, whether I stand, sit, or kneel, do I raise my hands, dance or chant and should I sing along. I would like to discuss these very important questions? Let me offer some groundwork:
Our Father who art in Heaven
We are familiar with the trinity. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Now let’s look at this verse: John 10:30 “I and the Father are One”. To be in the presence of Lord Yeshua (Jesus) would be as being in the presence of YHWH (I AM) or Lord God Almighty. To be in this presence demands praise. The Holy Spirit pushes you and nudges you to praise. You feel the motivation to praise. As our Lord Yeshua said in: Luke 39 Some of the Pharisees from the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples [for shouting these Messianic praises].” 40 Jesus replied, “I tell you, if these [people] keep silent, the stones will cry out [in praise]!”
OK, it is clear, there will be times in public worship when we will be motivated to praise in one form or another. The question is: why would “these people keep silent?”
Your Father “the Devil”
Yeshua made it clear that there is another spiritual Father on earth. John 8:44” You are of your father the devil, and it is your will to practice the desires [which are characteristic] of your father.” Our Lord made this statement to religious people of that time!
The groundwork is laid. This discussion, (praise or not to praise) is about loyalty and/or freedom.
Our spiritual father “The Devil” taught us many things in our worldly life. He used many tools to keep our loyalty. Ie: pride from monetary success (cars, boats, houses, etc.) the pleasures from improper sex, greed, food etc. This father showed us a lot and we learned and believed as did our worldly brothers and sisters whom we pridefully competed with. This father used shame and other tools to keep us in line and loyal. We thought it was all good and we were loyal to this father in many ways. He didn’t do a good job of showing us the truth. It was all sin and would lead to our death, but we didn’t know all of that.
Many of us seek our Heavenly Father and/or Jesus Christ.
Since the beginning our God who art in heaven has been clearing the path to allow us to reach out and re-connect with our true Father. Lord Jesus has made an impact! Churches have been established and the “word” of truth has been let out of the bag. Seekers of this truth go to worship centers (churches) looking for the truth. There are various levels of seekers and believers in worship.
Let’s just talk about three groups:
- The new seeker. This person has wandered into Church, hoping to learn more about it. Still (unknowingly) loyal to their worldly father (the Devil), but wanting to know the truth.
- The academic Church goer. This person now believes that it is important to go to Church and pray and learn “about” Jesus. Still heavily influenced by their worldly father, but has knowledge of their Heavenly Father.
- The re-born Christian. This person has had an experience with God. They have known the presence of the Holy Spirit and/or Lord Jesus, but as the name say’s “re-born”. They are still infants in their new life. They have a new Father and new brothers and sisters, but yet infants in all knowledge. But they do have memory. Memory of the past life, memory of past loyalties and lots of brothers and sisters from that past life.
What happens when these groups are exposed to “the presence of God?”
The scene: The Worship Center is full and musicians are filling the house with beautiful music and prayerful lyrics. Most people are sitting, yet some are standing, some raising their hands in praise, some are singing, some are dancing with the music and there is a fellow kneeling and in prayer. The spirit is strong and the presence of God is apparent. What are the thoughts in our 3 groups?
What are these worshipers thinking? And possible outcomes.
I will consider some behavior examples
Group 1: Curiosity, what would bring people to that behavior. I’m not sure any of this is real? Yet, something is happening. I’ll sit here until I figure it out. Standing up would be embarrassing or I can stand. I don’t know anybody else here anyway.
This person is not moved to praise. Even if they do stand, it’s just group dynamics. Their loyalty is with their worldly father even though they are in a worship center and the presence of God is at hand.
Group 2: I have seen many people get demonstrative in their praise, but I can just sit here and praise Jesus. I know about him and what he did and he deserves my praise. I could stand, but I see my friends over there and they are not standing. Demonstrative praise is optional. a. OK, I choose not to be embarrassed. Or b. Why not stand, it doesn’t take long and from what I know about Jesus, he certainly deserves that honor. They have some loyalty to who Jesus was and what he did. But they do not understand the presence of God.
Group 3: I feel the spirit of God and the Holy Spirit is nudging me to praise “my Lord Yeshua” I know what you did for me and I Love you with all that I have and want to show you. While standing, the Holy Spirit nudges, “should you be kneeling?” Ohh, I don’t now if I have to go that far? Not many others are kneeling.
Or “Lord Jesus its just you and me here.” I want to show you how much I love you and need you. I want everyone to know that I am yours. No doubts, no questions. If you want me on my knees, Ill be there. If you want me singing, Ill be there. If you want me dancing, Ill try to be there. If you want me sitting quietly in prayer, Ill be there. I just want it to be clear, I am yours and you are mine.
Our Lord Yeshua wants to have a personal relationship with us. When we get an opportunity to worship and praise him. We’re going to take it. If Holy Spirit convicts us to kneel, were going to do it. Singing along is a given. If we are overjoyed, we are going to dance or jive with the music. We are not doing any of these things for any reason other than pleasing our living, Lord. We do not want praise for yourself, we could be an example of freedom of praise, but that is not the goal.
Remember David, when he brought the ark into temple. He was so overjoyed, that he removed his outer garments, was singing and dancing to the shame of many, but not David. He was free of his worldly father (the devil) at that time and was making a definite statement as to whom he was loyal to.
Many say that the accuser (devil) is always looking for an opportunity to accuse us in Front of our God. To allow pride and shame to keep chains on you is to offer loyalty to the Devil, while in the house of God. Let’s state that again: To allow pride and/or shame to keep chains on you is to offer loyalty to the Devil, while in the house of God.
Summary:
Praising our God can be done sitting, standing, kneeling, singing, dancing and/or praying. If from the heart all are witnessed. However, if you are motivated to praise from the heart, never allow the accuser’s tools to slow down your praise, for to do so would be to shame our God.
Submitted by: Ralph Thoren
4/2025