Our Heavenly Father desires our life to be FILLED with praise and worship. When we gather together with other believers for church services, we generally begin with songs of praise. We praise God for His love and faithfulness, and for the gift of His Son. We worship Him for His awesome majesty as we prepare our hearts to receive His Word. These are wonderful times, but they are only a small part of God’s true desire for our life.
Ephesians 5:19-20
“Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
As Paul wrote these instructions to the Ephesians he never said, “give thanks only during your worship service,” or, “make music in your heart only when you gather together with other believers.” He clearly instructed “always” and “for everything.” The “music” of praise and worship to God should always reside in our heart.
This can be a real challenge without a shift in the way we view our life – a shift from the way we’ve been “trained” by the world. We absolutely must learn to “trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5). Though the world teaches us to “take charge of your own destiny,” we are called to release control to our Lord and patiently trust. For it’s only through faith and trust that we can praise in ALL situations, even through our confusion and pain.
One of my favorite praise songs contains the words: “Lord prepare me to be a sanctuary; pure and holy, tried and true. With thanksgiving, I’ll be a living sanctuary for You.” The word sanctuary means: A place set aside as sacred and holy, especially a place of worship. The meaning of this song then becomes, Lord prepare my life to be a sacred and holy place of worship!
There can be no greater ambition for the Child of God. With a proper understanding of eternity and the saving grace of Jesus, our life only has real purpose as we live each day to bring Him glory and honor – as we live each moment in praise and worship, no matter what circumstances our day may bring. The way we walk through our trials as well as how we accomplish our daily tasks, ministry activities, or times of prayer and study should all be done through a heart devoted to worship.
Let’s allow the “music” of our heart to sing out with praise and worship – not just for a few set hours each week, but every day with every word, thought and deed. Let’s patiently trust in all areas of our life and ask our Father to teach us to live as a living sanctuary.
Have a Christ Centered Day!
Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries
Thank you for the explanation to the song Santuary. I’ve sang it lots of times, without knowing the meaning to it, now I can sing “Lord prepare me, to be a santuary indeed!
I really appreciate reading this since I just listened and sang Sanctuary. Thanks so much! I have a much clearer understanding now. Now to become a living sanctuary all the time.
Thanks for sharing the meaning of
the song.
Thanks for the meaning of the song. I grew up going to Sunday school and the evening services on Sundays and Wednesdays but throughout my adult life I never did really live a Godly life. Until recently, I asked God to convict me and teach me, and help me to put Him first in my life. I know things don’t happen overnight but God heard my prayer and He convicts me at times when its least expected, and He lets me know that He is answering my prayer.
I have issues only He can take care of, and I am thankful for that.
I am ready to be a Sanctuary for Him!
We are all made in the image of God, I love everyone because God is Love.
Oftentimes I pray to Him that He needs to remind me to stay focused on Him, because it says in the Bible somewhere that He needs to be first in our lives.
Thank you again, this is my testimony for today.
I was led to listen to this song this morning 9/24/17 6:47am . Quietly as I listened, I wondered to myself what does it mean for the Lord to prepare me to be a sanctuary . So I googled and this was the first sight . I thank Father God for answering my prayer so thoroughly and quickly I felt peace as I read it and the Holy Spirit gave me understanding I know that the Holy Spirit will guide me and strenghten me to allow the Lord to continue prepare me . Thank you for ur obedience.
I love this song! We don’t seem to sing it much in our churches anymore but we used to sing it a lot. Thanks for writing. Your feedback is very encouraging!!
Thank you for explaining the song, I want to be all God has called me to be. I want to honor Him in all I day and do.Prepare me I am ready and willing to do your will
I like others always sing the song and never knew the true meaning. I knew it was good because I always felt something in my heart.
Thanks for the explanation.
Chris Johnson