Satan loves to attend church.

If only there was not enough space for him. Yet, always he seems to find a seat.

More times than I like to admit, I bring Satan with me to worship. He enters through my own struggle with sin. When I come to church to judge, I find Satan beside me ready to participate.

Every time I hear another political prayer, I want to slap down my gavel and shout “enough!”

Each time I hear a prayer exalting our nation above the other nations of the world—and sometimes even above heaven, I want to roll my judgment robes into a hard, knotted ball and knock the microphone out of business.

I stand in awe at the prayerful laments of the prophets as they rehearse to God their human limitations.

As I walk from my car through the doors of worship, I would do good to fill my mind with a prayer of lament as to my own sinfulness and my need for a renewed dose of God’s love and grace. I want to see the cross and God’s reflection anew.

I do a whole lot better in worship when I leave Satan outside. I find when Satan enters with me he blocks my view of the cross.

Stay Tuned.

Gary J. Sorrells on Cross Church