 God wants prayer to emanate from a pure heart. › “The L ORD is far from the wicked, But He hears the prayer of the righteous” (Prov 15:29). › “Whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight” (1 Jn 3:22).

 We need holy lives. › Worship is intended to be the natural outgrowth of a heart that seeks to honor God.  Men are to lift “holy hands” without fighting; women are to allow godliness to be their adornment.  Matt 15:8-9.  “Let us draw near [to God] with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water” (Heb 10:22). › Our worship is to include a careful look at our hearts (1 Cor 11:28).

 We need holy dress. › We don’t dress in a way that brings improper attention to us.  Am I wearing this out of pride?  “Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall” (Prov 16:18).  “All that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world” (1 Jn 2:16).  Is there something you wear out of pride?  Am I wearing this to show off physically?  “Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy” (Rom 13:13).  “Lewdness” is a work of the flesh (Gal 5:19).  Is there anything you wear to show off physically?

 We need holy submission. › Women must be in submission in the worship assembly.  “Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says” (1 Cor 14:34).  If you read the context of 1 Cor 14 carefully, you’ll see that “speak” means to get up and lead the assembly. › Male spiritual leadership is an eternal principle that goes back to the Garden.

“Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time” (1 Pet 5:6).