Prepare Your Heart for Worship

Ever arrived at church only to feel completely unprepared to worship? You’re dressed outwardly, but inside your heart is a mess distracted, burdened, maybe even angry. A fight in the car, an old grudge resurfaced, or just the whisper of self-doubt: “What kind of Christian are you?”

Seventeenth-century poet and pastor George Herbert felt that too. In his poem Aaron, he describes walking into worship like a priest clothed in holiness but realizing he’s dressed instead in profaneness in my head, defects and darkness in my breast, a noise of passions ringing me for dead.

What are we to do with hearts like that?

1. Confess, Don’t Hide

The first step isn’t to fake it till you make it. It’s to confess. Be honest like Herbert about what’s really going on inside. Own the mess, but don’t camp in it.

Instead of giving in to shame or trying to willpower your way into a better mood, greet your thoughts like unwelcome visitors. “Oh hello, Madam Pride. Not today.” “There you are again, Mr. Lust. You’ve been here before.” Acknowledge them then show them the door. Let them pass through. You’re not ignoring them. You’re surrendering them.

2. Get Dressed in Christ

But confession isn’t the final step. You need to get dressed not in your own strength, but in Jesus. “Put on the Lord Jesus Christ,” Paul writes (Romans 13:14). That’s what Herbert realized.

He writes:

Only Another Head
I have, another heart and Breast,
Another music, making live not Dead,
Without whom I could have no Rest,
In him I am well dressed.

The noise of passions is replaced by another music Christ’s music. His life in you. His heart, his mind, his power. When you feel unworthy to worship, remember: Christ is your worthiness. You don’t prepare yourself to come to him; he prepares you to come. You don’t need to make yourself holy. You need only be in him.

Herbert’s final declaration is bold. Come people, Aaron’s dressed!

You can enter worship confidently not because you’re flawless, but because you’re clothed in Christ.

3. Let Worship Tune Your Soul

As Christ’s “music” plays in you, it changes you. It quiets the noise. It tunes your heart to sing his grace. Your story is joined to his great story of redemption. And as you come to worship each week, you come not trying to be someone you come in someone.

You come in Jesus.

So next time your heart feels unready for worship, don’t despair. Confess what’s real. Put on Christ. And sing. Even if your voice shakes, you’re already dressed.

Want more reminders of how to live every day clothed in Christ? Subscribe to our newsletter to receive biblical encouragement to help you walk confidently in grace.