Worship literally means "worth-ship". Giving worth to something.[1] In its older sense in English of worthiness or respect (Anglo-Saxon,worthscripe), worship may on occasion refer to an attitude towards someone of immensely elevated social status, such as a lord or a monarch, or, more loosely, towards an individual, such as a hero or one's lover.
'Worship' is quite often used to refer to acts, expressions and/or a state of religious devotion typically directed to one or more deities.
Worship can include praying, reading God's Word with an open heart, singing, participating in communion, and serving others. It's not limited to one act, but is done properly when the heart and attitude of the person is in the right place.
Worship and praise are reserved only for God. Only He is worthy; not any of his servants (Revelation 19:10). We are not to worship saints, prophets, statues, idols, angels, or any other false gods. We shouldn't worship for the expectation of something in return, such as a miraculous healing. Worship is done for God, and God's pleasure alone! Worship can be public praise to God (Psalm 22:22, 35:18), in a congregational setting, where we can proclaim through music and praise our adoration and thankfulness to Him and what He has done for us. True worship is felt inwardly, and then comes out through our actions. "Going through the motions" out of obligation is unpleasing to God, and is done completely in vain. He can see through all the hypocrisy, and He hates heartless worship (Amos 5:21-24). A powerful example of this is the story of Cain and Abel, the first sons of Adam and Eve. They both brought gift offerings to the Lord, but He was only pleased with Abel's. Cain brought the gift out of obligation. Abel brought his finest lambs from his flock out of true faith and admiration for God.
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