“The spiritual life and worship of God is vital to living an effective faith. African Americans inherited the cultural practice of spirituality and centrality of God in life from their African ancestors, both from those ancient Christians who carried the good news of Jesus and from their Christian ancestors who were brought to North America against their wills. Romans 12:1–2 encourages the spiritual life and worship of God when it encourages the believer to ‘present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.’ "
“Worship is seen as a way of life by African American Christians. This is the influence of African culture that remains a strong influence in the worship. People are often reminded in church that they should bring God with them when they come. We are not here to be entertained but to worship God, and we are always in God’s presence; thus, worship is a way of life. Therefore, worship begins prior to your coming to church or the worship center by way of spending time in prayer, getting your mind in an attitude to receive from God, coming with a heart of expectation to hear from God and receive from worship. Thus you bring God with you when you come.”
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