Reviewed by Ian Hayter

David M Edwards (not the Myrrh artist of the early '80s) has "a passion to see people enter into the presence of God" and this book is his attempt to share that passion. Drawing on his experience as a worship leader and minister, Edwards examines the ways in which men and women can encounter God in worship wherever they are. He undergirds all that he says with Scripture and offers a number of excellent insights into attitudes to and the practice of worship. The four sections of the book are introduced with the lyrics of his own songs (some co-written with Caleb Quaye, Elton John's erstwhile guitarist), but the meat of the book is in his contention that praise and worship (he sees it as a single entity) is something that should revolutionise and then characterise the life of the devoted follower of Jesus. It's clearly a book written for Christians (and probably quite mature Christians at that) as his vocabulary is soaked in the language of the Bible and the Church. There are countless books on worship in the Christian bookshops, many of them concentrating on the "how to do it" aspects of the subject, but the author here intentionally moves away from that to give clear advice on the heart relationship between the worshipper and the object of worship. There's much that is challenging in the book - I found the chapter entitled The Sacrifice Of Praise fell into that category - but that is all to the good in a contemporary church where praise and worship often slips into being mere entertainment. Don't just read this book - live it!

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

Interested in reviewing music? Find out more here.