The Heart of Worship: Why Worship Is More Than The Songs We Sing
The story of how Matt Redman and his team wrote The Heart of Worship is both convicting and refreshing. As told in this article from Crosswalk, the song was born out of a season when their church stripped everything back. They removed the music, the instruments, and the production, leaving only raw voices lifted to God. It was in that quiet and unpolished place that the now-famous words were formed: “I’m coming back to the heart of worship, and it’s all about You, Jesus.”
In today’s world of constant stimulation and entertainment, it is easy to confuse worship with performance. Lights, sound systems, and excellent musicians are blessings, but they are never the core. Entertainment asks how something makes us feel. Worship asks, What is true about God, and how can I respond?
This is why called and Christ-centered worship leaders resonate so deeply with this truth. They understand that their role is not to entertain but to shepherd their church families into spaces of freedom, honesty, and bold declaration of God’s greatness. When they lead from a place of humility and dependence on the Spirit, they help point hearts back to Jesus, the only One worthy of our song.
Worship in Every Expression
But Worship is more than a song. Worship is any response to the goodness and grace of God. That response may be prayer in the stillness of the morning, generosity when no one sees, service to a neighbor in need, or even cries of frustration when our hearts ache.
As the Apostle Paul writes, “Whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father” (Colossians 3:17, NASB). Every act can become worship when it’s offered to the Lord.
Worship through song is simply one expression, but its power lies not in the sound but in the truth proclaimed. So when we do worship through song, that singing becomes sacred when we declare who God is and remind our hearts of His faithfulness.
Re-Centering Our Hearts For Worship
So how can we each release ourselves from any hindering distractions and return to the heart of worship? A few practical steps can help:
Pause Before You Sing
Take a moment to pray before lifting your voice. Ask God to center your heart on Him and not on how the song makes you feel.Focus on the Lyrics
Read the words as prayers and proclamations. Let truth shape your worship more than the melody.Worship in Ordinary Moments
Sing in the car, pray while working, or thank God for small blessings. Every moment can be turned toward Him.Embrace Honesty
Worship does not need to be perfect. God welcomes your tears, questions, and silence when they are offered to Him.
At its core, worship is not about music, feelings, or performance. It is about Jesus. When distractions fall away and truth is proclaimed, we find ourselves again at the very heart of worship.
A Prayer to Return to the Heart of Worship
Lord, forgive us for the times we make worship about ourselves, our feelings, or our preferences. Remind us that You alone are worthy of all honor and praise. Help us sing with sincerity, serve with joy, and live with grateful hearts that point back to You. May we never lose sight of the truth that it is all about You, Jesus. Amen.