Christianity is an intimate, growing relationship with God our Father, Christ our Savior, and the Holy Spirit. It is not a ritual that one takes part in on certain occasions or days. It is possible for us to attend services and go through the motions of worship without actually worshipping God or having a meaningful relationship with Him.
God designed worship for us to continually grow in Him and to express praise and thanksgiving to Him. To engage in worship without really focusing or thinking in the heart upon God is to worship Him in vain. Under the Old Testament the people offered animal sacrifices. Under the New Testament the people offer a different type of sacrifice. Christ sacrificed Himself as atonement for our redemption. We are to �offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name.� Hebrews 13:15. Praise to God must be sincere. We are to continue in prayer, study and praise on a daily basis. God gave us prayer so we can communicate with Him. We often distort this by �saying a prayer� in a hurry without mediation. We can allow God�s word to become a �legal system� rather than an indwelling power that gives strength and guidance to us.
Having the proper frame of mind is very important in worship. Satan is ever present to distort our minds in worship. We realize the importance of partaking of the Lord�s Supper in the right manner. However the other items of worship are important. To engage in religious activity without the mind being focused on God is an empty ritual. The second section of Psalm 119 has some wonderful admonitions that can be applied to worship: put one�s whole heart into worship; have a heart that is filled with the word of God; use our lips to declare the goodness of God; rejoice in the ways of God; meditate, contemplate, delight and never forget our loving God. God loves us. Let�s put our whole heart, mind, and soul into genuine worship - worship that is pleasing to Him.