Guest Post by Grant Van Brimmer
We all develop daily routines and rhythms. We all have morning routines, whether well regimented or not, whether that is to always sleep in or to rise early. Again, whether well regimented or not, we also have nightly rhythms. Nevertheless, we are creatures of habit. As James K.A. Smith observed, we are inescapably shaped by the various liturgies we partake in. He goes on to say, “Liturgies aim our love to different ends precisely by training our hearts through our bodies. They prime us to approach the world in a certain way, to value certain things, to aim for certain goals, to pursue certain dreams, to work together on certain projects.”[1]
We develop routines, habits, and rhythms because we are liturgical worshipping creatures. The scriptures teach us that we were created to glorify God (Is 43:7), that daily routine matters (Deut 6) and that we become like what we worship (Ps 115).
Here’s where the rubber meets the road: since our daily lives are lived out of what we love and worship, our routines necessarily shape us. This should cause us to take stock of our routines and consider what might need to change.
Here is a question of appraisal: How often do you verbally proclaim Jesus is King, even if just to yourself?
In the incredibly helpful work Pro Rege: Living Under Christ’s Kingship: Volume 1, Abraham Kuyper contrasts the popular view of Christ within Christian circles with the view of Mohammad in Muslim circles.
Even if you haven’t experienced firsthand the deep adoration Muslims have for Allah and his Prophet Muhammad, most know that it is detestable to speak lightly of Muhammad in Muslim culture.
The discipline of this adoration is commendable. It is also a harsh indictment on evangelicals. Most evangelicals don’t feel any inner anguish when we hear pagans use the name of King Jesus as a swear word. Rather than Jesus’ name being highly revered because it is by which men may be saved (Acts 4:12), it is treated as common.
Kuyper notes that more than the mandatory five prayers a day, many devout Muslims even add a couple of voluntary prayers throughout the day. Kuyper says, “Altogether, this adds up to approximately 1,800 prayers per year, and for some Muslims over 2,500 prayers. In each of them, the commemoration of Muhammad occurs between four and five times. This means that every single worshiper commemorates the name of Muhammad more than ten thousand times per year.”[2] No wonder it is unthinkable to treat their prophet’s name lightly.
Kuyper admits that there is certainly a mechanical (meaningless) element to this practice. Christians must admit that the reason for the mechanical nature of the Muslim prayer life is due to the fact that they are not offering prayers to the true God or a true prophet of God. Christians must not ditch habit, routine, or personal liturgies, just because a pagan does it wrong.
In light of the desire to be conformed into the image of Christ, we develop habits, or daily liturgies, such as prayer and scripture reading to form us into the type of people we aim to be. May I suggest developing a habit of verbally proclaiming the Kingship of Jesus throughout your day? The goal would be to direct your heart towards a deeper adoration and reverence for our King.
Those who desire to increase reverence to their King are creative enough to come up with ways to develop personal liturgies aimed at habitually proclaiming the Lordship of King Jesus.
Allow me to suggest for you three practical ways in which I have endeavored to do this.
1. With Prayer: It is normal for Christians to close their prayers by saying “in Jesus name, Amen”. There is nothing wrong with this and it appropriately places our prayers in the one through whom we have access to God the Father. Those familiar with the more trinitarian Anglican Book of Common Prayer might recognize the common way its collects end by saying “through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.”[3]
Both of those forms are perfectly good and fine. Yes, and Amen. To increase the frequency by which I proclaimed that Jesus is the King of Kings, I began to end my prayers with “in the name of King Jesus I pray, Amen.” Depending on how many times you pray throughout your day, let’s say you at least pray at each meal. This means you would now proclaim the Kingship of Jesus on average 90 times a month and on average 1,095 times a year.
2. With Drink: I recently learned this one from a friend. Before moving out of state, he was helping me along my path to ministry and toward my ordination as a minister of the Gospel. The first occasion we spent some time together, he shared with me a product of the glorious craft brew community in the beautiful state of Maine. Upon opening the brew, instead of cheers, at the clink, he said, “To the King!” I haven’t stopped doing the same since. It was not only another opportunity to proclaim the Kingship of Jesus over all things, but it even brought richness to a moment that has the potential of being wrongfully deemed mundane.
3. With Covenant Children: A third practical example has to do with catechizing covenant children. This is as simple as asking your kids throughout the day “Who is the King?” and training your covenant kids to answer “Jesus is the King!”. It doesn’t take any time at all but it’s a worthy rhythm to get into. Many of us in Reformed circles already regularly catechize our children. If the Kingship of Jesus isn’t prominent in the discussion, I suggest adding this quick question and answer to help remind you and your covenant children that Jesus is King.
Christianity holds Jesus, the King of Kings, in a higher position than Muhammad is held. Jesus is very God of very God. After Jesus completed His work on earth, He ascended to the right of the Father where the Father granted to Him rule over all things (Ps 2, 1 Cor 15).
May we find many ways to develop habits that lift our eyes to the King on the throne and thereby deepen our adoration for our Savior.
As you develop these personal liturgies, may the King richly bless you from morning till evening.
[1] James K. A. Smith, Desiring the Kingdom: Worship, Worldview, and Cultural Formation (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2009), 25.
[2] Abraham Kuyper, Pro Rege: Living Under Christ’s Kingship: Volume 1 (Washington: Lexham Press, 2016), 6.
[3] Book of Common Prayer, 1979.
