Self-Care Saturday 05/17/25

Restorative Worship: A Soul-Renewing Spiritual Practice

Have you ever felt spiritually drained? Like you're constantly running on empty, giving to others while your own soul is parched? In our hyper-connected, always-on world, it's easier than ever to neglect our spiritual wellbeing. Today, I want to share a transformative practice that has become my spiritual lifeline: Restorative Worship.

What is "Restorative Worship"?

"Restorative" means "having the ability to restore health, strength, or a feeling of well-being." When we engage in Restorative Worship, we're participating in a practice designed to immerse ourselves in God's presence through worship music until we're completely refreshed and renewed by His peace, love, and grace.

Restorative Worship is exactly what it sounds like—finding a quiet space to simply be still and allow yourself to be renewed in God's presence through worship music. It's like spiritual sunbathing, where instead of absorbing rays of sunshine, you're absorbing the warmth of God's love.

Why Our Souls Need This Practice

We live in a culture obsessed with productivity and doing. Even our downtime gets filled with social media scrolling or catching up on the latest shows. When was the last time you just... stopped? When did you last create space to simply rest in God's presence without an agenda?

The Psalms remind us to "Be still, and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10), but stillness feels almost impossible in our modern lives. That's exactly why this practice is so vital for our spiritual health.

How to Practice Restorative Worship

Here's a simple guide to get started:

1. Find 15-30 minutes of uninterrupted time (I know, easier said than done!)

2. Create a comfortable space where you can sit or lie down without distractions

3. Play worship music that speaks to your heart—whether lyrical or instrumental

4. Invite God's presence and simply rest

5. Let go of expectations and allow the music to minister to your spirit

6. When your mind wanders (it will!), gently bring your focus back to God's presence

7. After your time, journal about your experience

Some people prefer dimming the lights, others like to have a candle burning, and some find that instrumental tracks help them focus better than songs with lyrics. There's no "right way" to do this—experiment and discover what helps you connect with God most deeply.

The Spiritual Impact

This isn't just another spiritual discipline to add to your to-do list. Soaking in worship music serves as a powerful conduit for:

• Emotional healing when life has left you wounded

• Spiritual refreshment when ministry has left you drained

• Divine encounter when you're hungry for God's presence

• Theological meditation as worship lyrics help you internalize spiritual truths

Unlike other spiritual practices that might feel like work, Restorative Worship is about receiving rather than achieving. It's creating space for God to minister to you through the power of worship music.

Start Today

Is your soul feeling parched right now? Are you running on spiritual fumes? Instead of squeezing in another Netflix episode or scrolling through social media tonight, what if you carved out just 15 minutes for this soul-restoring practice?

Look at your schedule today. What activity could you replace with Restorative Worship instead? Maybe it's waking up 20 minutes earlier, using part of your lunch break, or setting aside time before bed.

Your soul is worth this investment. Your spiritual wellbeing matters. Today, give yourself permission to stop doing and start receiving. Put on some worship music, get comfortable, and allow yourself to be restored in God's presence.

If you don’t have a worship mix you can click here and use this one.

I'd love to hear how this practice impacts you! Drop a comment below sharing your experience or any tips you've discovered that enhance your Restorative Worship time.

"Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you." - James 4:8

God bless!

Mike