Begin Your Prayers With Praise
When the disciples asked Jesus how to pray, he gave them a model prayer. Today this prayer is often referred to as the Lord’s Prayer. It gives us an outline for talking to God in prayer.
Jesus began His prayer by saying:
“Our Father in heaven, we honor your holy name” (Matthew 6:9, TLB).
He began His prayer with praise.
We connect with God in prayer when we begin by praising Him. Praise is simply thanking God for who He is. It means to esteem Him, to value Him, to acknowledge who and what He is. Or another way of thinking about it is that praise is simply bragging on God. “God there’s no one like you! You’re so good and faithful and merciful.”
Why do we begin prayer with praise? Because when we praise God it gets our focus off ourselves and onto God and gives us a correct perspective.
When Jesus began His prayer, He talked about God’s name being holy. In Biblical times, there was a close association between a person’s name and his identity. The name symbolized the person and represented his character.
Did you know God has many names? The Bible reveals the character of God through the names it uses for Him. Through these names, we learn that:
- God Is Present With Me
- God Is My Shepherd
- God Is My Provider
- God Is My Healer
- God Is My Peace
- God Is My Victory
Taking time to meditate on the name of God reminds you who He is and what He has done for you. And when you’re reminded, you can’t help but have your love for Him stirred up—you can’t help but worship and adore Him.
That’s why we begin prayer with praise.
The book of Psalms is an excellent place to start when praying. Many of the Psalms were written simply to praise God. As you’re reading, you might want to mark in your Bible all the names and attributes of God that He is showing you. (The book of Isaiah is also particularly rich in the names of God.) You might also like to read the Psalms aloud. It will help you voice praise to God in prayer.
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!” (Psalm 100:4).
A Moment of Worship: “God Be Praised”
God Be Praised
from You Hold It All by New Life Worship
Question: When you pray, are you beginning with praise?
TOOLS YOU CAN USE TO BEGIN YOUR PRAYERS WITH PRAISE:
- Praise You, Jesus: Alphabet of Praise, Part 1
- Praise You Jesus: Alphabet of Praise, Part 2
- My God Is: Names of God
- 300+ Names, Titles, and Attributes of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
- The I Am … For Your Every Need (1): In Christ Is …
- The I Am … For Your Every Need (2): Praise Party
- Five Ways to Use the Praise Series
ARTICLES ON PRAYER:
- Get Alone With God: The Religion of the Closet
- Prayer Is a Two-Way Conversation
- Don’t Get in a Hurry in the Prayer Closet
- Praying With Heaven and Earth at Your Disposal
- Prayer Is an Invitation to Experience God’s Boundlessness
- Satan Trembles When He Sees the Weakest Saint Praying
- Drawing Near: Treasuring Communion (Part One)
- Drawing Near: Treasuring Communion (Part Two)
- Reigning Through Prayer, Part One: Jesus, the Interceding Ruler
- Reigning Through Prayer, Part Two: Joining Jesus at the Throne of Intercession
- Kings and Priests—Praying with Authority
- I Will Run to You: A Prayer of Pursuit
- Holy Abandon
- Persisting in Secret Prayer
- Why Is It So Hard for Christians to Pray? (David Wilkerson Sermon)
- The Touch of God – Moses: Sermon by David Wilkerson
- “A Call to Anguish” by David Wilkerson
- Training to Pray With Great Power
- Bite-Size Encouragements to Being a Person of Prayer
- Perfect Solitude: Following Our Master’s Steps
- Andrew Murray on Prayerlessness and God’s Holiness
- Prayer for Revival Cannot Be Answered Until…
- Come Up and Wait
- The Gospel of Prayer (by Leonard Ravenhill)
- Desperate Prayer by Leonard Ravenhill
- God Answers Desperate, Persistent Prayer
- God Answers Prayer
- The Power of Prayer
- Your Father Gives Good Gifts
- Waiting Expectantly: Praying in Hope When Times Seem Hopeless
- Waging War With Your Promise
- God Promised: Do I Still Pray About It?
- How Do I Pray for Lost Loved Ones?
- Renew Your Passion to Pray for the Lost: 5 Thoughts from George Mueller
- Finding a Quiet Hour to Connect With Heaven
- What Will You Do With Your Arrows
- The Mind-Blowing Mystery and Privilege of Prayer: Francis Chan Sermon
- Resources to Encourage You in Prayer: Sermons, Webcast, and Prayer Journal Apps
FASTING DAY 3 FROM THE ARCHIVES:
- Fasting Day 3: How Fasting Works
- Fasting Day 3: The Purpose of Fasting
- Fasting Day 3: Emptying Yourself of Pride
- Fasting Day 3: The Primary Purpose of Fasting
- Fasting Day 3: Five Dangers of Fasting
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