As a worship pastor, I am constantly asked for new worship music suggestions.  I get texts saying, “What are you listening to these days?” or “I need something new; I’ve worn out such-and-such album.” I’ve found that I rarely have new ideas for people. Most of what I’m listening to is the same thing everyone else is listening to.

But as I ask questions, I find that it’s not a new song people need as much as fresh vision for worshipping God.

It’s so easy to get on autopilot. The alarm goes off, I grab the coffee, go to my chair at the dining room table and start the playlist I made one time for Lifegroup or turn on the latest worship album (my most recent default being Champion by the Torwalts). But I want to give you some ideas of how you can freshen up worship in your time with God.

• 1. Start with thanksgiving.

  Psalm 100:4 calls us to enter His gates with thanksgiving. When we are thankful, we remind ourselves of our testimony – how God has been faithful to us. Don’t just thank Him for general things. Thank Him for specific things. The ways you and only you have seen His faithfulness, mercy, kindness, etc. Be thankful for the big things and the small things.

• 2. Start with songs that declare truth about who God is and what He’s done.

  Forever Reign by Hillsong is a great example of a song of declaration. The verses alone give us 12 different attributes of God. I may spend a good amount of time here depending on how sleepy or foggy my brain is. As we declare truth about who God is, our hearts and minds start to open to His goodness. Then our hearts are ready to sing songs of surrender and adoration to Him.

• 3. Sing out loud.

  This may seem silly or unimportant, but there’s something about actually making an audible noise that forces our brains to engage with what’s coming out of our mouths. Singing along with the song also helps keep our minds from wandering. If you’re like me and don’t live alone, go on a walk outside. Or go in your closet. You don’t have to sing at the top of your lungs (though you’re welcome to), just sing aloud. Trust me; it helps.

• 4. Don’t just sing what’s on the recording.

  Add your own lyrics. Make it personal. Rather than sitting through an instrumental part of a song or a repeat of a bridge, sing the song in your own words – allowing the song to turn from one someone else wrote to one that is your own.

• 5. Have a place where you can write down the random things that come to mind.

  How many times have you been in your time with God only to realize two minutes later that you’re thinking about the meeting you have at work later that day or the person you forgot to text back? Sometimes these distractions are important and even God-inspired. Write them down so you can come back to it. But don’t stop and make your grocery list in that moment. Jot down a quick reminder and then get your thoughts fixed back on Jesus.

• 6. Remember that worship does not necessarily equal music.

  Often I find that I’ve gotten to the end of a song and haven’t actually engaged my heart with what I’m singing. Try speaking and praying the lyrics to a song. Or write them down. Sometimes you don’t even realize what great truth you’re singing until you take time to pray the lyrics.

Ultimately, worship is a heart response to the goodness and faithfulness of God.

The goal of worship in our time with God is to get our mind fixated on His greatness and to allow everything else in our lives to come into perspective behind Him. Matthew 6:33 says it best: “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

By Owen Wible, Associate Worship Pastor