“Let the name of the LORD be praised,
both now and forevermore.
From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets,
the name of the LORD is to be praised.”
both now and forevermore.
From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets,
the name of the LORD is to be praised.”
Psalm 113:2-3 NIV
Immediately my heart whispers, Lord, I don’t praise you enough. How can
I do this better? The Master Gardner responds, “Praise me and worship me
all day and all night. Speak of your love for me and tell others why you love
me. Just as you praise all those you love, just add me to your list and praise
me as well. Worship and respect me and lift my name on high as you walk through
your day. Take care not to move so fast because when you do you forget to look
up. Look up into the sky and praise me! Worship me by your obedience. Whisper
your gratitude in the marketplace; sing to the top of your lungs, songs of
praise to me and worship me while driving to and from your responsibilities.
Work at home and with others outside of your home in ways that bring honor and
glory to my name. This, my child is “living” worship. Remember, your attitudes, integrity and character should be a reflection of me. Make sure I am honored
as a result of your choices. Bringing honor to my name is an act of worship.
Also, go alone to a quiet place and offer up your praise and worship to me. Paula,
in my eyes this is a perfect prayer.”
As many times happens, during my quiet time God reveals things to me
that I have previously been missing. I know in my head that I am to praise
and worship God but in my heart this action has shallow roots. To say the least
my praise and worship of my Creator, my Lord and Savior is often found lacking.
Many times when I write a letter, I often add a postscript. I am ashamed to say
that this is often the way I approach God in my prayer life. My beginning prayer
is always about what I want, what I need, what others need, and then comes the
afterthought. Oh by the way God, I praise you and I worship you and I love you.
After this morning’s prompting from the Holy Spirit, I am considering the very
real possibility that I love myself a bit more than I love my God.
So today Lord, I kneel in your presence in awe remembering that my prayer time is my intimate time alone with you. I know that I usually rush
into your presence with many requests. Some requests are for others, but most
of my prayer focus is on asking for favors from your gracious hand that will
benefit me. I ask you for provision, my personal desires, good health, and happy
endings. Forgive me Father for failing to speak words of gratitude, worship,
and praise. I know you are pleased when
I bring my concerns and requests to you. However, today let me ask for
nothing, neither for myself nor for another. Let me only praise and worship you. Today I want to offer up a
“perfect prayer”. Not perfect in man’s eyes but perfect in your eyes. A prayer
that brings you joy!
God this PRAYER belongs to you alone:
God, I’ve been studying your names.
This is a perfect way to guide my words of prayer in praise and worship. The
significance of each of your many names begs for my praise and adoration of you. Your
attributes are awe-inspiring springboards for my praise and worship every day.
God, all of your names reflect who you are. You are the Mighty God, who is powerful. You are the Everlasting Father, and you are the Creator of the universe. You are the Most High God, and Sovereign
Lord. You are the God Who Sees. You
are the All Sufficient One; you are
a Jealous God who calls me to have
no other gods before you, because you want all of me for yourself. God you are
my Lord and my Master. You are the Great I
Am, who is self-existent. You are my Provider,
my Healer, and my Banner of protection from Satan. Lord,
you are my Sanctifier and my Prince of Peace. God you are the Lord of Hosts, the mighty commander of
heaven’s armies. Still you are my gentle Shepherd
and you are my Righteousness. You
are the King of Glory who is coming
again for your bride. I praise you and I worship you! What a magnificent
package you are, all wrapped up in One! There is none above you. I praise you
because I love you. I worship you because you alone are worthy. I speak words
of gratitude because without you my life is meaningless.
It is in your Son’s name I pray.
Amen.
As I continue to linger in my mind’s garden I observe in the
distance a field of trees clapping their hands in adoration. Then I notice that
the stones along the garden path are crying out in praise. Flowers of every
species raise their heads and shout “hallelujah” to their creator. The lush
green ferns prayerfully whisper, “Hosanna, blessed is he who comes in the name
of the Lord.” The birds in the garden sing songs of never ending praise. Then all is still. There is a musical “grand
pause” of silence. Selah. This too
is a silence that radiates meditation and marvelous worship.
“Who is he, this King of glory? The LORD Almighty,
he is the King of
glory.”
Selah
Psalm 24:10 NIV
Questions:
- Have you ever experienced sweet praise and worship?
- Do you relate to offering your praise and worship to God as a postscript?
- Would you consider sitting with Jesus in prayer and refraining from asking him for anything?
- Do you realize that God created us to worship him?
- How is praise and worship played out in your life?
- What are the benefits of praise and worship?
- Would you consider making a “selfless” list of why you love him?
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