Proven Men Ministries, Ltd.
16011 Chieftain Ave.
Rockville, MD 20855
info@ProvenMen.org

The letter P in PROVEN™ stands for Passionate for God. Part of being passionate is having a heart of worship. What does this mean? It is when your desire to live for Christ becomes a consuming fire. (See Hebrews 12:28-29 – “since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire”.) Do you want to praise Jesus from deep within your heart and soul? Do you long to “know” God, to learn His names and to see Him in His glory? There are many ways to strengthen or deepen your passion for God, including improvements in your prayer life, singing (and listening to) Christ-centered songs and writing your own psalms (letters to God). The key is to engage in purposeful worship of God and pursue after intimacy with Him. This article suggests some ways to crank up the heat and allow God to fuel the flames. Use your freedom in Christ to develop other forms of thoughtful worship and praise. Be creative and make it exciting.

Some suggestions for developing a greater heart of worship include:

Praying With Passion. God is not a vending machine where we make a request and out pops the desired result. The Lord is a real being and He wants a real relationship with you. Prayer is not about receiving things from God. It is all about communication with the Living Lord. It is about becoming best friends. Honestly evaluate your prayer life. Is it your goal to become so intimate with God that you know His will and long to see it accomplished or do rush to ask Him to give you something? If the only time you ever spoke to your neighbor was to borrow a tool, what kind of friendship is that? God deserves better and wants more than a hurried bless me request. Besides, He is more interested in living the story with you. The more time you spend with God the more you will know His will, His good pleasing and perfect will (Romans 12:2). Then, when you do put God to work, it will be asking Him to do that which He already desires to accomplish.

In real prayer, you need to be listening and waiting. Don’t be in such a rush to end prayer. Talk to the Lord as a being; sharing your struggles, fears, hopes and dreams. Become friends.

A good way of keeping the focus off of yourself (and, hence, not making selfish requests) is to replace asking for your own blessings with petitioning God on behalf of others, such as a co-worker, your pastor or those you know are hurting or sick. Also, ask God what He wants to accomplish through you and your prayers. God does not hide Himself from those who earnestly seek Him and long to do His will. But, again, guard against viewing God as a tool for bestowing blessings. Make your top priority getting to know God.

A good book to help you pray with more passion is The Necessity of Prayer, by E.M. Bounds (or any other book on prayer by Mr. Bounds).

Attending Prayer Meetings. Join a regular prayer meeting at your church or form your own. Consider prayer walks in the woods with your wife, if married, and other PROVEN Men. Passionate praying builds strong bonds. Don’t miss out!

Reading the Bible daily. The Bible is God’s very word to us. It actually nourishes our souls just like food nourishes our bodies (Matthew 4:4 – Jesus told Satan that man does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from God; Hebrews 4:12 – the Word of God is living and active and penetrates a person’s soul and spirit). Therefore, do not neglect it (Psalm 119:6).

Reading the Bible “to find out about” God is far different from reading it as part of your plan and practice of pursuing the Lord to get to “know” Him. If your reading of the Bible has been dull or infrequent, change your heart and mind-set. Set your sights on reading to become intimate with God. Guaranteed – if you seek the Lord with all of your heart, you will fall in love with the Lord. He has no blemish or spot to turn your eyes away. Consider beginning afresh by reading Psalm 119:1-40. Adopt it as your own plea. Ask God to reveal Himself to you. Determine in your heart that you will set out to enjoy God and that you will not read the Bible out of a sense of checking off a list of things Christians are suppose to do. If you still struggle with desiring the things of God, spend time reading Psalm 51 and wrestling before the Lord until He grants you repentance and creates in you a clean and new heart that lives for Him. Don’t take “no” for an answer.

When you read the Bible, read slowly asking the Lord to open your eyes and heart to what He has to say to you. Don’t race. Read until God shows you something new or exciting in the passages. Then dwell on that point. Talk to God about it. Meditate on that new insight, and plan how it can be put into practice in your life. You will find that God has a lot to say, if you but listen and seek.

Studying the Bible. This is slightly different than reading the Bible. By regularly studying passages, you should grow yet deeper in your relationship with God. A word study can make a good beginning. For instance, use a concordance and look up many (or every) verse containing words, such as perseverance, suffering, hope, or grace. Choose a new word each time. Be sure to ask God to give you deeper understanding of these passages and to teach you what He wants you to learn about Him and about living. Then do what the Lord reveals. Apply it in your daily life.

Writing Psalms to God. A special way of focusing on God and drawing closer to Him is by writing letters to God, which can be your own version of a psalm. It is easier to do this than you think. The Bible repeatedly tells us to sings psalms, and writing them is a form of singing them from your heart and soul (Colossians 3:16). God will be pleased by your heartfelt letters to Him. You will also surely get to better know and appreciate the Lord! (See How to Write Psalms.)

Singing Songs or Hymns. Singing songs to the Lord is not just for Sunday church service. Pouring out your heart in singing to God adds a different element of worship which can be deeply moving. Play worshipful songs in your car and at home. Sing along. Don’t be inhibited in praising the Lord. Ask God to tear down walls so that your heart is free to meet with and worship Him.

Consider also strictly limiting or eliminating altogether secular music and television, because such songs and programs often contain values, which are inconsistent with pursuing God with all of your heart and otherwise compete in terms of time and energy with to Whom you worship.

Meditating Upon The Names and Attributes of God. We were created to worship God and to experience more and more of His nature. Meditating upon the beautiful names of God helps us get to know our dear creator on a deeper level. Who doesn't like their name sweetly whispered by a loved one? Read them softly or aloud, but purpose to show reverence and invite Him into your heart as you communicate with Him in this intimate way. (Click here for a list of God's names.) Similarly, meditating upon the attributes of God opens us up to His perfect nature and helps tear down walls that keep us trying to control life. The more you see God as good, the more you will allow Him into your life! (Click here for a list of God's attributes.)

Conditioning Your Mind. We all daydream and have private thought lives. But, God tells us to take captive every idle thought and make it conform to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). We are not to be conformed to this world or to love anything of this world (Romans 12:1-2, 1 John 2:15). Even fantasies about being a hero or winning the lottery can distract you from focusing your thoughts upon and trusting in God. Replace your former way of thinking with things such things true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8).

Including Others. We all need relationships. God created us to first love Him and second to love others. By developing and cultivating relationships with others that are actively seeking the Lord, you will have friends you can talk openly in order to share in struggles as well as engage in praise and worship. Two PROVEN Men (or two PROVEN Women) as iron sharpening iron (Proverbs 27:17). Therefore, link up with other PROVEN men and women. Also, attend church so that you will enjoy “corporate worship.” The type of worship that occurs when people join hearts and voices in singing and praising Jesus is uniquely different from how one person praises God alone at home. Don’t miss out on it!

There are many ways to live for the Lord and worship and praise Him. God desires that it becomes your very way of life. But you must plan for it in your life. In fact, right now go ahead and schedule each of these things into your daily life. Write out a daily timetable. Rise early each day to meet with God and fix your gaze upon Him throughout the day. Eliminate things which compete or hinder your new lineup or else you will soon forget your promises and commitments and return to the former habits you had in living on the fringes of the Lord’s courts instead of feasting at His table.

God the Father

Abba Father - Rom. 8:15
Ancient of Days - Dan. 7:9, 13
Creator - Isa. 27:11
Father - Luke 11:2
Father of the Heavenly Lights - James 1:17
God Almighty - Gen. 17:1-2
God Most High - Gen. 14:18-22
God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob - Exod. 3:6
God of Heaven and Earth - Ezra 1:2, 5:11
God of Hope - Rom. 15:13
God our Father - Eph. 1:2
Holy One - Isa. 43:15
Judge of the Earth - Psa. 94:2
King - Isa. 43:15
King of Glory - Psa. 24:7-10
King of Heaven - Dan. 4:37
Living God - Rom. 9:26
Lord of All the Earth - Josh. 3:11
Righteous Father - John 17:25
The God of All Comfort - 2 Cor. 1:3
The Great and Awesome God - Neh. 1:5
The Lord is My Banner - Exod. 17:15
The Lord our Maker - Psa. 95:6
The Lord Who Heals - Exod. 15:26

God the Son

Advocate - Job 16:19; 1 John 2:1
Alpha and Omega - Rev. 1:8
Author and Perfecter - Heb. 12:2
Blessed and Only Ruler - Heb. 2:10
Bread of God - John 6:33
Bread of Life - John 6:35
Bridegroom - Matt. 25:1-10
Chosen One - Isa. 41:1
Christ Jesus Our Lord - 2 Tim. 1:2
Cornerstone - 1 Pet. 2:6
Deliverer - Rom. 11:26
Faithful and True - Rev. 19:11
Foundation - 1 Cor. 3:11
Fountain - Zech. 13:1
Friend - Matt. 11:19
Gate - John 10:7-9
Good Shepherd - John 10:11, 14
High Priest - Heb. 3:1
Holy One - Acts 2:27
Horn of Salvation - Luke 1:69
I Am - John 8:58
Immanuel - Matt. 1:23
King of Kings - 1 Tim. 6:14
Lamb of God - John 1:36
Light of the World - John 8:12
Lord of Lords - 1 Tim. 6:15
Master - Matt. 23:8
Mediator - 1 Tim. 2:5
Messiah - John 1:41
Mighty God - Isa. 9:6
One and Only - John 1:14
Our Righteousness - 1 Cor. 1:30
Prince of Peace - Isa. 9:6
Redeemer - Isa. 44:24
Rock - 1 Cor. 10:4
Ruler - Matt. 2:6
Savior - Luke 2:11
Son of Man - Matt. 8:20
Sure Foundation - Isa. 28:16
Teacher - John 13:14
The Almighty - Rev. 1:8
The Beginning - Col. 1:18
The Way - John 14:6
True God - 1 John 5:20
Truth - John 14:6
Wonderful Counselor - Isa. 9:6
Word of God - Rev. 19:13

God the Holy Spirit
Breath of the Almighty - Job 32:8
Counselor - John 14:16
Deposit - Eph. 1:13-14
Eternal Spirit - Heb. 9:14
Holy Sprit of God - Eph. 4:30
Living Water - John 7:38-39
Promise of the Father - Acts 1:4
Seal - Eph. 4:30
Spirit of Faith - 1 Cor. 12:9
Spirit of Fire - Isa. 4:4
Spirit of God - Gen. 1:2
Spirit of Judgment - Isa. 4:4
Spirit of Knowledge - Isa. 11:2
Spirit of Life - Rom. 8:2
Spirit of Power - Isa. 11:2
Spirit of Promise - Eph. 1:13
Spirit of Truth - John 14:17
Spirit of Understanding - Isa. 11:2
Spirit of Wisdom - Isa. 11:2
Spirit Who Intercedes for Us - Rom. 8:26-27
Spirit Who Searches All Things - 1 Cor. 2:10

Attributes of God, God is: (top)

Love (unfailing love) - Exod. 15:13, Psa. 13:5-6, 52:8, 1 John 4:7-16, Rom. 8:38-39, Eph. 3:17-19, 5:1-2
Good - 2 Chron. 7:3, Psa. 119:68, 135:3, 145:9, Mark 10:18
Faithful - Deut. 7:9, Psa. 18:25, 33:4, 111:7, 145:13, 1 John 1:9, Heb. 10:23, 1 Pet. 4:19, 1 Cor. 1:9, 1 Thes. 5:24, 2 Thes. 3:3
Merciful - Deut. 4:31, Jer. 3:12, 2 Sam. 24:14, Neh. 9:31, Dan. 9:9, 2 Cor. 4:1, Rom. 11:31, 21:1, Eph. 2:4, Luke 6:36
Kind - 2 Sam. 22:51, Isa. 54:8, Jer. 9:24, Psa. 18:50, Luke 6:25, Rom. 2:4, 11:22
Patient (forbearing/long-suffering) - Jer. 15:15, Neh. 9:17, Psa. 145:8, 1 Tim. 1:16, Rom. 3:25, 2 Pet. 3:15
Compassionate - Exod. 22:27, 34:6, Neh. 9:17, Psa. 86:15, 103:8, 111:4, Joel 2:13
Just - Deut. 32:4, Job 37:23, Psa. 99:4, Luke 18:7-8, 2 Thes. 1:5, Rev. 16:7
Righteous - Isa. 51:6, Jer. 9:24, 23:6, Judges 5:11, Ez. 9:15, Neh. 9:8, Psa. 4:1, 7:9, 89:14, 97:12, 116:6, 119:137, 129:4, 145:17
Jealous (jealous for our love) - Exod. 34:14, Deut. 4:24, Zech. 8:2, 2 Cor. 11:2
Gracious (grace) - Josh. 24:19, Isa. 26:10, Neh. 9:17, Exod. 34:6-7, Psa. 86:15, 108:8, 111:4, 116:5, 145:8, Titus 3:5-7, Eph. 2:8
Holy - Isa. 6:3, 57:15, Psa. 30:4, 77:13, 99:3, 9, Matt. 1:35, John 17:11, Rom. 7:12, 1 Pet. 1:15-16, Rev. 4:8
Wise (wisdom) - Isa. 28:29, Jer. 10:12, 1 Cor. 1:30, Col. 2:2-3
Truthful (veracity/truth) - Num. 23:19, Isa. 45:19, Psa. 31:5, John 3:33, 14:6

Almighty - Gen. 17:1, 35:11, Psa. 24:10, 46:7, 68:14, 80:7, 14, 84:1, 89:9, 2 Cor. 6:18, James 5:4
Pure - 2 Sam. 22:27, Psa. 18:26, 1 John 3:3
Perfect/Blameless - 2 Sam. 22:26, 31, Psa. 18:25, 30, 19:7, Deut. 32:4, Matt. 5:48, Gentle - Matt. 11:29, 21:5
Forgiving - Neh. 9:17, Num. 14:18, Psa. 86:5, 99:8
Wrathful (avenging evil) - Nahum 1:2, Psa. 7:11, Rom. 1:18, 5:9, 9:22
Independent (self-existing/self-sufficient) - Psa. 115:3, John 5:26, Rom. 11:35-36
Infinite (from everlasting to everlasting/beyond measure) - Psa. 33:11, 41:13, 90:1-2, Heb. 1:8-12
Eternal - Gen. 21:33, Neh. 9:5-6, Deut. 33:27, Psa. 93:2, John 8:58, Rev. 1:8
Supreme (pre-eminent) - Exod. 15:1, 11, 18, Psa. 115:3, Col. 1:15-19
Transcendent/Incomprehensible (beyond full description or understanding) - Job 36:26, 37:23, Psa. 104:1-4, Isa. 36:26, 40:18-26, Rom. 11:33-34., 1 Tim. 6:15-16
Majestic - Exod. 15:6-7, 11, 1 Chron. 29:11, Job 37:22, Psa. 8:1, 9, 93:1, Jude 25
Sovereign - Isa. 46:10, Dan. 4:35, Psa. 135:6, Eph. 1:11, Acts 4:24
Immutable (unchanging) - Mal. 3:6, Psa. 102:27, James 1:17, Heb. 6:17, 13:8
Omnipotent (all-powerful/infinite power) - Gen. 18:14, 1 Sam. 2:6-7, Psa. 18:13-15, Matt. 19:26
Omnipresent (everywhere) - Jer. 23:23-24, 2 Chron. 2:6, Psa. 139:7-16, Acts 17:27-28
Omniscient (all knowing/infinite knowledge) - 1 Kings 8:39, Psa. 139:1-6, Prov. 3:19-20, 1 Cor. 2:10
Immortal (not created, but ever existing) - Rom. 1:23, 1 Tim. 1:17, 6:15.

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. NIV.
Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society.
Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.