Liturgical Highlight :: It Is Right to Give Him Thanks and Praise

An Anglican worship service is a rich, immersive expression of praise to God. We gather together to participate with an incarnational (meaning, embodied in the flesh) community, through the pillars of Spirit, Word, and Sacrament. Every week, before we come to the table to receive the Eucharist, we proclaim that “It is right to give Him thanks and praise.” Here, we are acknowledging our readiness to do that which we were made for: worship.

What does that word truly mean? What comes forth when “worship” is expressed? I believe that, in some sense, it is a cataclysmic union between our deepest longings and the presence of the Living God. It is an inevitable response that is both within and outside of ourselves. The Lord’s presence invokes reverence, and reflection upon His love for His people throughout history entices gratitude.

We were made, literally, to live in an eternal state of worship and companionship with God. When we construct different idols in our lives, we are torturing our souls with temporary solutions that are void of any actual comfort. By doing this, we are seeking to aim our worship at something. At someone. At anything. We long to throw our affection and allegiance to whatever or whoever will accept it, hoping that said person, thing, or idea will throw its affection and allegiance back at us in return. This misalignment of our worship leaves a rift embedded within our companionship with God.

Yet, we unite with one another and declare that “It is right to give Him thanks and praise.” God Almighty; Christ the King; The Living Spirit; the Triune God: He is the one ruler whom we were intended to shower with our affection and allegiance. It is right to do so. It is fitting to do so. And when we pour out our souls at His feet- with complete abandon and humble adoration- that is where the Spirit bridges the gap between our longing and the comfort of the I Am. So let us praise Him, with relentless gratitude for who He is, what He has done, what He is doing, and what He will do. We can know that He is for us, and declare that He is good.

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Are you interested in learning more about Anglicanism? You can find more resources on our website. We will also be hosting a Catechism class in the spring of 2021, from January 12th - May 4th. You can register here, or reach out to Katie Gayle with any questions.

In Love,

Brandon