Today, we're pleased to share with you an audio essay written and read by Ryan Mollinari, entitled

Seven Suggestions for When You're Struggling to Worship Joyfully.

Ryan is the author of Spirit-filled Singing, Baring Fruit as we worship together from Crossway.

Seven Suggestions for When You're Struggling to Worship Joyfully.

Written and Read by Ryan Molinari.

We've all been there, surrounded by other Christians singing with hands aloft and hearts lifted even higher while

we just exist. We wonder if the hospitality team switched the coffee for decaf again, but suspect

that our joylessness is due to something deeper than general fatigue. Most likely it's due to a

combination of factors. The reality is that we will not

always brim over with delight on Sunday mornings. In our busy, stressful, distracted, fallen world,

we will often struggle to worship joyfully. So what are we to do when we find ourselves worshipping without joy? More to the point,

how are we to keep worshipping when we struggle to do so joyfully? Consider the following suggestions.

1. Worship prayerfully. This seems like a simple step, but it's one we too often skip. We pray before

sermons and sacraments, but do we stop, either privately or corporately, to pray before singing?

We should. Remember the promise Jesus makes to his disciples. Until now, you have asked nothing in my name. Ask and you will

receive that your joy may be full, John 1624. Perhaps we lack joy in our worship simply because we have not

asked for it. As the familiar hymn proclaims, oh, what peace we often forfeit, oh what needless pain we bear,

all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.

As we drive up to church, enter the sanctuary, and settle into our seats,

we should pray that the Holy Spirit would empower and fill us as we sing together,

Ephesians 5, 18, through 21.

2. Worship actively. My family had a motto growing up. Feeling follows action.

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