THE WORSHIP LIFESTYLE
- Rev. Dr. N Patrick Marica
- Nov 21
- 6 min read
By Reverend Nick
True Worship: Living a 24/7 Lifestyle of Surrender to God
I probably should have called this sermon “How to Live a Lifestyle of Worship,” because when most of us hear the word “worship,” we immediately picture a worship set on Sunday morning—singing, hands raised. And yes, that is worship. But it’s only one small slice. True worship is a 24-7-365 proposition. We are called to live in a constant posture of awareness that God is with us, that we belong to Him, and that every moment is an opportunity to honor Him with our entire lives. Jesus made that clear when Satan tempted Him in the wilderness: “You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve” (Luke 4:8). Paul takes it further in Romans 12:1: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”
A living sacrifice. That means everything we are—our thoughts, words, decisions, reactions, schedules, wallets, and relationships—is laid on the altar every single day.
Worship Is Awareness of His Presence
Think about your closest relationships. I’m married to Kathy. I never forget I’m married to Kathy (I’d be in big trouble if I did!). Even when we’re in different rooms, I’m aware she’s my wife, I love her, and my life is oriented around that reality.How much more should we live aware of God? We love our spouses deeply, but Jesus said we’re to love God even more. Worship is staying conscious that the Creator of the universe is right here, that He’s in charge, and that we’re gladly under His authority.
Worship Is Doing the Will of the Father
Jesus said, “I have come down from heaven not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me” (John 6:38). If the sinless Son of God lived every second submitted to the Father, how much more do we need to? True worship happens when we walk so closely with Him that we know His heart and choose His will—even when it’s hard, even when it doesn’t make sense to the world.
Worship in Spirit and in Truth
Jesus told the woman at the well: “The true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and His worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23-24).
· In spirit = passionate, whole-hearted engagement with God all day long. Talking to Him. Inviting Him into the mundane moments. Keeping short accounts.
· In truth = living in the reality that God is always with us, that He is Lord, and that surrendering control to Him is the safest, happiest place to be.
The more we grasp who He really is, the deeper our worship becomes—and the more God is glorified in our lives.
The Heart of True Worship: Fixing Our Eyes on the Unseen
“We fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Cor 4:18). We are spiritual beings living a spiritual existence. Worship is learning to operate on that plane—communing with God, trusting Him with all our heart, and refusing to lean on our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Worship is found In Spiritual Warfare
We live in a broken world filled with sinful people (including ourselves) and very real demonic forces that want to hijack our thought life. Paul reminds us that “we do not wrestle against flesh and blood” and that our weapons “have divine power to demolish strongholds” (2 Cor 10:3-5).The enemy loves to replay old failures, stir up anxiety, and get us rehearsing imaginary conversations. Worship is the antidote. When we take every thought captive to obey Christ, when we forgive quickly, when we give thanks in everything—that is worship rising like incense and driving back the darkness.
Worship Is Seeking God First—Always
Jesus said it plainly: “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).Paul echoes it: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6-7).Thanksgiving in everything? Even when the car breaks down, the diagnosis comes, or the relationship fractures? Yes. Because worship trusts that God is weaving a story we can’t yet see.
Practical Ways to Cultivate a Lifestyle of Worship
1. Put on the full armor of God daily (Ephesians 6:10-18). Speak it out loud. Believe it.
2. Retrain your thought life. When the enemy fires flaming arrows of doubt, regret, or fear, lift the shield of faith and answer with Scripture.
3. Pray Scripture every morning. There’s power in praying God’s own words back to Him—because you know you’re praying His will. (I’ve included a list of the prayers I pray almost every day at the end of this post.)
4. Keep short accounts. Talk to God all day long. Thank Him. Repent quickly. Invite Him in the traffic jam and the grocery line.
5. Run with endurance, keeping your eyes on Jesus, “the author and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:1-2).
Prayers of Surrender
Here are some Scripture-based prayers that you can pray nearly every day. Feel free to borrow them, add to them, and make them your own:
“...run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith…”
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.” (1 John 5:14-15)
“Lord, I thank you in Jesus name:”
- As I repent and turn my life over to you (Acts 26:20; John 3:30)
- For blessing us with a world-wide revival. (1 Tim 2:4)
-That you are continuing to put me where you want me. (Jer 6:16)
-That you are increasing my/our provision as you see fit. (Luke 12:6-7)
- That we will always be able to meet our obligations. (Phil 4:19)
- That we will always have more than enough.(Phil 4:19)
- That you are making me a man/woman of wisdom. (1 Kings 2:9)
- That you have given me the mind of Christ. (1 Cor 2:19)
- That the desires of my heart will be what you want for me. (Ps 37:4)
- That your grace is sufficient for me. (2 Cor 12:9)
- That you are delivering me (Rom 7:25; Ps 3:7)
- That you're giving me a clean and godly mind. (1 Cor 2:19)
- That you have given me clean hands and a pure heart.(Ps 24:4)
- That my sacrifice is a broken spirit and a broken and contrite heart. (Ps 51:17)
- That you are making me the man/woman of God you want me to be. (1 Tim 6:11)
- That you are giving me wisdom today. (Ps 3:13)
- That you are making me a man/woman after God's own heart.(1 Sam 13:14)
- As I am putting on the full armor of God. (Eph 6)
- That you are giving me a heart of worship.(Isa 29:13)
- That you have made me a slave to righteousness. (Rom 6:18)
- That you are increasing in me and I am decreasing. (John 3:30)
- That you are blessing me and extending my influence. (1 Chron 4:10)
- That I am healed.(Ex 15:26)
- That you are granting your servant success by granting favor today. (Neh 1:11)
- That you have made me a priest, your royal emissary. (1 Pet 2:9)
Today I will worship You with everything I am, In Jesus’ name
Amen. Let’s live this way—together—until we see Him face to face.
Final Thoughts:
Tomorrow is a million light-years away. All you have is today. So today, right now, offer your body—your whole self—as a living sacrifice. That is true worship. It’s the life God is seeking. Seek Him while He may be found. Today.
About Reverend Nick: Rev. Dr. Nick Marica is the Vice-Chancellor of Amherst Theological Seminary, and he has a D. Min. from Amherst Theological Seminary. He has his MA from Liberty University in Marriage and Family Therapy. He is the author of the book: "The Walk Applied: Living the New Creation Life as a Citizen of God's Kingdom in a Secular World". He has also written "The Fasting and Prayer Handbook". Nick has been married to Kathy since 1985, and they are the proud parents of 3 children.
Contact Reverend Nick at:
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