18th January 2024
Praise the Lord in prayer
This is the first in a series of studies on praise and worship.
God is magnificent; he can never be praised enough. There are no boundaries to his greatness.
Psalm 145:3 (The Message)
When thinking about what should form the content of our prayers let me suggest that praising God should be high on the list. When you consider and learn more of the majesty, glory, holiness, greatness, wisdom, mercy, love, and grace of God, you will find yourself wanting to follow David’s example: ‘I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises.’ (Psalm 34:1 NLT).
If you are ever stuck wondering what to pray about, just take some time to think about who God is and what he has done and then praise him for those things. Our praise of God will soon lead on to thanksgiving, and it is striking how often in the New Testament we are encouraged to praise and thank God. The Apostle Paul tells us to, ‘Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful’ (Colossians 4:2 NIVUK), and we are to, ‘Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.’ (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). Prayer, praise, and thankfulness go together.
We can praise and thank God for our health and strength, food and clothing, home and shelter, family and friends, safety in travelling, acts of kindness – the list is endless. But as we are exhorted to praise and thank God in all circumstances, we can also do so in tough times.
In his first letter, Peter is writing to Christians who are being persecuted for their faith and have been scattered from their homes in different parts of the Roman Empire. It would seem like this was not the occasion to praise and thank God, however, notice how Peter starts his letter: ‘Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.’ (1 Peter 1:3-5).
We can praise God no matter what our external circumstances are because of the great salvation we have in Jesus Christ: our circumstances are temporary, but our salvation is permanent.
So, look to Jesus, look to the salvation we have in him, and then, when we come to pray, be filled with praise and thanksgiving to God for giving his Son to us.
Prayer
Loving Father, we praise you for your great love towards us, and we thank you for sending your Son so that we shall not perish but have everlasting life. In Jesus’s name, Amen.
Study by Barry Robinson
About the writer:
Barry Robinson is a minister in Grace Communion International and Regional Pastor for Southern England, the Midlands, and Wales
Local congregation:
Grace Communion West Hampstead
Sidings Community Centre
150 Brassey Road
West Hampstead
London
NW6 2BA
Meeting time:
Sunday 12.30 pm
Local congregational contact:
Gordon Brown
gordon.brown@gracecom.church
Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church