THE WORSHIP HOUR by Luella B. Priddy

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 30, 1901

THE WORSHIP HOUR.

By Luella B. Priddy

MRS. LUELLA B. PRIDDY. (Berlin, Wis.)

It is easy for religious services to degenerate into a mere form, that must be hurried through somehow, because they are a duty that we do not dare neglect: instead, they should be seasons of joyful refreshing, as God meant them to be. This is especially true of family worship, probably because we neglect to think, plan, and pray for the occasion as we ought. It is easier just to read a chapter in an aimless way, and to offer a formal prayer, than to make the mental effort necessary to keep up the interest.

In Matt. 18: 20 we have the promise, “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Hence we have a right to expect the blessing of God, just as surely as in any larger gathering.

All of the family should be present at worship. Neither reading nor prayers should be long enough to be wearisome, and the worship should be adapted to the particular needs of the family. What would be of interest to a company of adults, might not be at all suitable to the needs of young children. If we could only realize that God calls every one of us to be missionaries and workers in the highest sense, what a change it would work in the simplest details of our lives!

While conducting our worship, or performing any other duty that may come to us, let us consider the needs of the flock committed to our care. While working to help them, our own souls will be blessed also.

At this time when standing on the borders of eternity, the missionary spirit should pervade everything we do. By leading the members of our own household into the kingdom, we obtain an experience that will enable us to carry the truth to our neighbors.

It is not how many scripture verses we may read, but how much we remember and understand, and how much we take into our daily lives, that does us good.

The child should be taught how to tell his own needs to the Lord in his own language. Some who in childhood learned to repeat a written prayer, in later years find it difficult to get out of the habit. It is hard for them to come to the Lord in an unembarrassed way, and tell Him just how they feel. While we are to serve God “with reverence and godly fear,” we are to “come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

In our private devotions we do not expect any one but God to hear, and we may speak in as low a tone as we please, or even inaudibly. But family worship is for the family. And we should speak loud enough to be heard by all, that all may enter into the prayer with us.

Let us make the occasion so interesting that the members of the household will look forward to it with joy; and while we “remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy,” let us make the worship hour of that day the best of all.

In “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. VI, pages 356 and 357, we read the following: “Before the setting of the sun, let the members of the family assemble to read God’s word, to sing and pray. There is need of reform here, for many have been remiss. We need to confess to God and to one another. We should begin anew to make special arrangements that every member of the family may be prepared to honor the day which God has blessed and sanctified. . . .”

“At family worship, let the children take part. Let all bring their Bibles, and each read a verse or two. Then let some familiar hymn be sung, followed by prayer. For this, Christ has given a model. The Lord’s prayer was not intended to be repeated merely as a form, but it is an illustration of what our prayers should be, simple, earnest, and comprehensive. In a simple petition tell the Lord your needs, and express gratitude for His mercies. Thus you invite Jesus as a welcome guest into your home and heart. In the family, long prayers, concerning remote objects, are not in place. They make the hour of prayer a weariness, when it should be regarded as a privilege and blessing. Make the season one of interest and joy.”

And on page 359, we read: “As the sun goes down, let the voice of prayer and the hymn of praise mark the close of the sacred hours and invite God’s presence through the cares of the week of labor.”