Facedown Worship

Do you remember the first time that you ever intentionally knelt?

I don’t mean kneeling in jest when begging a sibling or friend for something you desired. I mean kneeling because you were either asked to or because you understood on some level that it was appropriate.

Mine was the first time I received communion in my home congregation after I was baptized at age 23. I remember thinking how odd it felt to undertake what I perceived to be such an intimate act of submission and worship in front of hundreds of people.

In fact, it still feel odd at times.

Communion is intensely personal and I sometimes wish that I could linger at the table a bit longer just to be still before Him as He reaches down to me through His body and blood.

One passage in particular stands out when we ponder facedown worship:

“Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; for He is our God and we are the people of His pasture, the flock under His care.” Psalm 95:6-7

One thing rings true about both worship and love: they are demonstrative. They require some measure of outward expression.

We cannot just say, “I love you” or “I worship You” and never demonstrate it.  Much like an earthly marriage, we are to show our love, not simply say it.  In Romans 5:8, we see how God demonstrated His love for us in that, “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” That’s demonstrative!

The first time I tried going facedown before God, I laid on the floor with my forehead to the ground, carpet fibers going straight up my nose.

I tell you, taking that position focuses attention on God alone.

But I had a problem: I felt like I had my back to God. So I turned over face up, then I felt like I was taking a siesta rather than going before Him in reverence.

Whatever position we take before God, what truly matters is the genuineness of our prayers and worship from our hearts. Some cannot physically kneel or go facedown before the Lord. If our worship doesn’t come from our hearts, God is not going to accept it.

The position from which we offer Him our worship and prayers is not nearly as important as ensuring that our offering is genuine.

This afternoon, I'm heading to College Station, Texas to lead worship for the next three days at a Lutheran Women in Mission convention. A greater privilege I cannot imagine than serving as a conduit to lead God's people to worship Him.

And as I lead worship, the words of today's post ring loud in my ears. And resound in my soul.

God, you alone are worthy of our worship. Lift the thousands of voices this weekend to praise the roof off for Your Name and fame.

Have you ever gone facedown before God? How did that make you feel? Did it bring God front and center in your mind? What was the result?
.