Heart of Worship: 30 Days to Deeper PraiseSample

Hi, I’m Charles Weems, and I’m excited to share today’s Scripture with you from 1 Corinthians 14:15 (ESV):

"What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also."

There was a time, not long ago, when I was leading worship at a church service. The room was packed—thousands of people worshiping together. I remember being on that stage, singing the songs we had prepared, lifting my hands, jumping, dancing - expressing worship in every way I could.

But at one point during that set, I stepped toward the back of the stage and quietly said to the Lord, “I’m singing, jumping, and dancing... but my heart and mind are somewhere else.” In that moment, I realized I was going through the motions outwardly, while inwardly I was disconnected. I remember telling the Lord, “I want to be fully engaged—not just on the outside, but within.” So I invited the Holy Spirit to help me focus and align my heart with His presence.

There are many ways people interpret this verse, but one perspective that has deeply impacted me is the idea of invitation. This Scripture invites us into more than just spiritual activity—it calls us into wholehearted engagement with our Creator.

Spiritual gifts and disciplines are not meant to be lifeless routines. Without God’s presence, they’re just motions. But when we use them as expressions of what’s happening inside - when they reflect a heart and mind set on Him - they become powerful tools for connection and transformation.

It’s not just about how we worship, but why. Sometimes our spiritual practices are the overflow of a vibrant relationship with God, and other times, they’re the very things that help rekindle our focus and devotion.

I believe every God-given gift and talent we have is meant to bring us into deeper communion with Him, but without His presence at the center, they lose their purpose.

Take a moment to reflect:
What has been the motive behind the use of my gifts?
If it hasn’t been about Him, how can I recenter and redirect the posture of my heart today?