Discipline of worship (Christianity, Judaism)

Worship of God is the first commandment in both Judaic and Christian religions. It is therefore of prime importance and comes before service to others. The discipline of worship requires an inner stillness and openness to God at all times. Although possibly accompanied by outward show of ritual and liturgy, true worship is said to be contact between the individual spirit and the spirit of God, such contact making the form of worship unimportant. This is [Shekinah]

, the presence of God in everyday experience, permeating the whole of life and making acts of corporate worship more meaningful when they occur. This worship may be total silence, it may be singing, it may be bodily movements such as kneeling or raising the hands, and it may be dancing or shouting with joy. True worship involves the whole being, physical, mental, emotional and spiritual; the person worshipping must be prepared to change and to accept the call to service consequent on worship.