BY EUGENE HSU

orship lies at the heart of any religious activity. And freedom to worship is always the prime goal of any effort to achieve religious freedom. Yet worship may also become an issue that separates people from one another. Why is that so?

An answer lies in the truth that worship is the central issue of the Great Controversy. Lucifer's rebellion and fall originated in his desire to be worshiped like God: "You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High'" (Isa. 14:13,14).*

During Jesus' temptation in the wilderness, Satan offered Him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor in exchange for worship from Jesus. "Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. ‘All this I will give you,' he said, ‘if you bow down and worship me'" (Matt. 4:8,9). It is not surprising, therefore, that Satan would try to use elements of worship to divide God's church and His people, especially in the last days of the world's history. Little wonder, then, that the first angel's message in the book of Revelation calls us to worship the creator God "who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and springs of water" (Rev. 14:7).

Specific issues about worship have the potential to create disagreement or conflict. For example, which is the proper day of worship? This question highlights an obvious difference of belief between Sabbath-keeping and Sunday-keeping Christians. The place of worship may also become a source of conflict, despite the fact that God is above time and place. Christians may also be tempted at times to allow variations in the time and location of services to rob them of blessings God has in mind for them.

A debate over what music is best in worship remains very much alive in some places. Music always has been an integral and essential part of worship; yet the choice of church music is subject not only to personal preferences, but also to cultural, ethnic, age, and socioeconomic considerations. Similarly, different styles of sermon delivery or worship atmosphere can highlight differences. Indeed, every aspect of worship offers a potential source of conflict and discussion.

But "religion is not to be confined to external forms and ceremonies," Ellen White reminds us. "The religion that comes from God is the only religion that will lead to God. In order to serve Him aright, we must be born of the divine Spirit. This will purify the heart and renew the mind, giving us a new capacity for knowing and loving God" (The Desire of Ages, p. 189). With a wholesome understanding of relevant issues (such as What is worship? Who do we worship? and Why worship at all?), answers to other questions will surface so that controversies can be reduced or eliminated.

The Week of Prayer reading materials presented here will lead us to genuine worship at personal, family, and congregational levels. As we read these messages, we will discover not only inspiration and an enriched personal worship experience, but find the church as a whole drawn together to worship Him in spirit and in truth.

* All Scriptures are taken from the New International Version.

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Eugene Hsu is a vice president of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists with headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland.