But a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is seeking such as these to worship Him. God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship Him in spirit and in truth.
John 4:23 and 24
BSB
Read John 4 in a modern translation BSB
Read the whole chapter (John 4)
Not on this mountain
At Jacob's well, a Samaritan woman raised an old dispute. Her people worshipped God on Mount Gerizim; the Jews worshipped him in Jerusalem. Who was right? Jesus took the question seriously, but looked beyond it. A time is coming, he had just told her, when the place will no longer matter.
Worshipping in spirit and in truth does not depend on being in the right place. It asks for an honest heart that is open to God's Spirit. In fact, it is the Father who does the seeking. When you pray, you are answering someone who was already looking for you.
Question for today
How honest am I with God when I pray?
Prayer
Father, you are looking for people who worship you sincerely. Here I am, just as I am, with the hard things too. Teach me to pray in spirit and in truth. Amen.
One of the 339 words of Jesus on this site, from the temple to Revelation. See all the words in order →