Some people don't think there is any difference at all - I disagree.
Here are some ideas that crossed my mind that might help to open up the discussion:
Here are some ideas that crossed my mind that might help to open up the discussion:
God dwells in our praises.
God reveals Himself in our worship.
Praise is a sacrifice—requiring faith.
Worship is a response—requiring the sight of God.
In praise, we declare His acts: What He has done, is doing, and will do.
In worship, we commune with Him in intimacy.
Praise brings us to the presence of God.
Worship responds to the presence of God.
We praise God for what He has done.
We worship God for who He is.
We praise God as we come before Him with thanksgiving.
We worship God when He comes before us by revelation.
We praise God from afar.
We worship God face to face.
Praise involves the remembrance of God.
Worship is increased through relationship and revelation of God.
Let me know what you think about this list - I will be interested to hear your comments
I think one of the most clarifying comments that I've heard came from one of your teachings in which you boiled the conversation down to Praise is defined by what we are doing; worship is defined by what God is doing among us. I think this is a really significant conversation that needs much exploration so that we as song leaders, "worship leaders", pastors and lay leaders can clearly communicate what we are asking people to do in corporate worship settings. Because praise Him and let's worship Him all seem like the same or the understanding leads to varied responses. I can appreciate this listing and the perspective that its defined by what He is doing not what we are doing. I also think that in a given moment we are ebbing and flowing out of both responses (praise&worship) through the lifestyle and conversation. Because when he does reveal himself, the response of praise can be just as appropriate.
ReplyDeleteI do sometimes get very charged to hear leaders lacking perceptivity to say praise song (to indicate fast) worship song (to indicate slow)...so defining the terms seems imnportant. However, I'm not certain that defining bears as much weight @ the practitioner/application level, unless one's responses are uni-dimensional. I cheat by calling it all worship! LOL And i do still think that the shades and defining distinctions are intriguing and enlightening.
Corey - I think the main reason for defining the terms is so that we can know where to "go" as we come in to His presence. If, for example, we have only considered praising Him, then we might become satisfied with staying in the outer courts.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it is helpful to constantly analiyze our praise and worship and put our songs into different "boxes," but there is a need to keep moving forward into His presence all He has to offer. Knowing the layers of difference between the two can give us vision to move on.