Why does God want to be worshiped?

[Јas]

I don't know whether God exists, but assuming so, why does God want to be worshiped? 

I've spent my fair share of time pondering different aspects of faith and religion, and while I can understand that people can draw the conclusion that God exists, I've never understood why God (a presumably superior being ordained with great power and oft said to be benevolent) would want to be worshiped. What does it matter to God whether or not I, or anyone else, worship him?

I'd be grateful to hear people's thoughts on this.

[Јas]

Thanks for the answers so far, they make very interesting reading...

Love, to be love, must be given.  If that love is not returned, God is not capricious or petulant.  God does not then withhold love. 

For all intents and purposes, God does not want to be worshiped for his own validation, he wants you to worship for your own validation.

If I can follow-up to both of you, why then (if he is not petulent or if worship is for our own validation) would God reward worship and punish those who don't?

[Јas]

Many thanks JS for your response. It was very moving to read through your experience.