What does it mean to worship?

Worship is such a widely used word in Christianity and in Church (The Body Of Christ), so much that the term has become so vast in reference that it can be said to mean a lot of things. To some it means to “serve God”, to others ‘to sing songs to God’, its widely referred to as a music genre, often its used to mean ‘the act of attending Church services’ or ‘personal fellowship with God’, last but not the least ‘singing in church with the choir’ amongst other references it is used for. But what does the bible teach us about Worship.

In some traditions certain actions are seen to be reverence, respect or worship. Acts like bowing, prostrating on the floor, dancing, etc are required in many cultures as worship to certain elevated or highly placed individuals like Kings, Royal rulers, Elders, Lords, etc. So when it comes to worshipping God, we immediately respond to worship Him in such manner and acts. We present these same acts as worship to God thinking that is the worship He wants. But what is worship to God, what kind of worship does he want and accepts. How do we know if what we offer as worship is accepted by Him.

What does the word tell us about true worship and what it truly means to Worship God?

“God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”
– John 4:24 KJV 

This immediately tells us that God is a spirit, we must worship Him in spirit and not with physical acts like we do in this world to people. He requires spiritual worship.

“You shall [reverently] fear the LORD your God, and serve Him, and swear by His name [and presence].”
– Deuteronomy 6:13 AMPC

WORSHIP means to Reverence, to be Reverent, to Adore Him, to Reverently Fear Him. 
– In the scriptures, we are instructed not to worship (go after) other gods but to reverently fear (Worship) Him. Deut. 6:13-14 AMP

There are three components of worship. These are;

1. PRAYER (Prayer of worship)
Revelation Chapters 5 and 8 speak of the prayer of saints rising as incense to God.

2. SERVICE 
Your act of service to God is Worship. This is because service to God starts from your spirit.

Romans 1:9
In Your service, you show reverence to God. 

3. SACRIFICE 
When you worship God, you bring Him sacrifices. In the Old Testament, the Priests came to God with sacrifices, they didn’t just come to bow. But in the New Testament, we offer up spiritual sacrifices to God as worship.

“ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” – 1 Peter 2:5 KJV 

When we worship God in the way he wants as the scripture above said, then it is pleasing and acceptable to Him.

Contrary to what many think, God doesn’t accept anything you give Him, in any manner you give it. There’s a prescribed way laid out in scripture in which he accepts His worship.