Scripture gives worship a shape
The word liturgy is not found in the Bible, but the first Christians did not gather without any shared pattern. In Jerusalem, believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayers. Those are recognisable elements of many liturgical services today, even when churches arrange them differently (Acts 2:42).
The New Testament also shows that worship involved Scripture-shaped teaching and singing. Paul tells the church at Colosse to let Christ’s word dwell richly among them as they teach one another and sing with gratitude to God (Colossians 3:16). A planned service can make room for these good things rather than crowding them out.
And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Order is not the enemy of the Spirit
When Paul wrote to the divided church in Corinth, their gatherings had become confusing and competitive. He did not tell them to abandon gathered worship or every shared practice. Instead, he called for worship that builds people up and is carried out decently and in order (1 Corinthians 14:26, 1 Corinthians 14:40).
That leaves room for a written prayer, a repeated response, set readings, seasons of the church year, and a regular order for Communion. None of those forms is commanded for every congregation. Still, they can serve a real purpose: they help a whole church pray and hear God’s word together, including people who may not know what to say.
Let all things be done decently and in order.
Jesus warns against empty words
A liturgy can become hollow if people merely say words without turning to God. Jesus warned against vain repetition in prayer, meaning a flood of words treated as though their quantity could make God listen (Matthew 6:7). The problem is not repeating a truthful prayer. It is praying without trust, attention, or honesty before the Father.
Repetition itself is not automatically wrong. In John’s vision, heavenly beings continually honour God with the same praise (Revelation 4:8). The Psalms also give God’s people words to pray again and again. The better question is simple: are these words helping you draw near to God in faith, or are you just getting through the service?
But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
Participate with freedom and discernment
Christians should not look down on one another over faithful differences in church practice. Paul addressed disagreements about observing particular days by urging believers to be fully persuaded before the Lord, rather than judging each other (Romans 14:5). The immediate subject is special days, but it reminds us to hold non-essential practices with humility.
So yes, a Christian can participate in liturgical worship with a clear conscience. Listen to whether the service centres on God, honours Christ, handles Scripture faithfully, and encourages genuine prayer and love. If a more structured service helps you worship, receive it with gratitude. If another faithful church expresses worship more simply, treat those brothers and sisters with the same grace.