Worship, times for

Scripture stresses the importance of regular worship, while at the same time recognising that believers may worship God spontaneously.

Examples of regular worship

On a daily basis

Acts 2:46–47 See also Exodus 29:38–43; Psalm 141:2; Ezekiel 46:13–15

With one accord they continued to meet daily in the temple courts and to break bread from house to house, sharing their meals with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Several times a day

Daniel 6:10 See also 1 Chronicles 16:37; Psalm 119:164; Acts 3:1; Hebrews 10:25

Now when Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went into his house, where the windows of his upper room opened toward Jerusalem, and three times a day he got down on his knees, prayed, and gave thanks to his God, just as he had done before.

On holy days

2 Chronicles 8:12–13 See also Ezekiel 46:3

At that time Solomon offered burnt offerings to the LORD on the altar of the LORD he had built in front of the portico. He observed the daily requirement for offerings according to the commandment of Moses for Sabbaths, New Moons, and the three annual appointed feasts — the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Tabernacles.

At the three annual pilgrim festivals

Deuteronomy 16:16 Exodus 12:1–20; Luke 2:41; Exodus 34:22; Acts 2:1; Exodus 23:16; Leviticus 23:33–36; Numbers 29:12–39; Deuteronomy 16:13–15

Three times a year all your men are to appear before the LORD your God in the place He will choose: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Tabernacles. No one should appear before the LORD empty-handed.

On the Day of Atonement

Leviticus 16:34 See also Exodus 30:10; Leviticus 16:3–33, Leviticus 23:26–32

This is to be a permanent statute for you, to make atonement once a year for the Israelites because of all their sins.” And all this was done as the LORD had commanded Moses.

On Sabbath days

Luke 4:16 See also Leviticus 24:5–8; Numbers 28:9–10

Then Jesus came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. As was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath. And when He stood up to read,

Examples of spontaneous worship

In response to an awareness of the closeness of God

Exodus 34:8; Judges 7:15

In response to the experience of God's mercy

Exodus 4:29–31 See also 1 Samuel 1:19–28

Then Moses and Aaron went and assembled all the elders of the Israelites, and Aaron relayed everything the LORD had said to Moses. And Moses performed the signs before the people, and they believed. And when they heard that the LORD had attended to the Israelites and had seen their affliction, they bowed down and worshiped.

In response to the presence and power of Jesus Christ

Matthew 28:8–9 See also Matthew 14:33; Luke 24:52

So they hurried away from the tomb in fear and great joy, and ran to tell His disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” They came to Him, grasped His feet, and worshiped Him.

Worship should not be dependent on circumstances

Philippians 4:6 See also Job 1:20–21; Daniel 6:10; Acts 16:25; 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

The continuous worship of God in heaven

Revelation 4:10–11, Revelation 5:14, Revelation 7:11, Revelation 11:1, Revelation 19:4