April 12, 2014

Begin prayer with praise . . . it is easy!



Today’s devotional reading calls for praise, beginning with this word from God . . .

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:9)

The challenge is to list at least twenty reasons for praise. From the above verse, I see these . . .
- God chooses people to be His children
- He gives us the privilege of being priests who can intercede for others
- He sets us apart for Himself (meaning of “holy”), His own people
- He gives us the privilege of praising Him
- He called me out of the darkness of sin and brought me into His light

Several passages offer more reasons to praise God. Psalm 100 begins with this, “Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the Lord, he is God!” then prompts praise that . . .
- He made us and we are His people
- He is good
- His love endures forever
- He is totally faithful (Psalm 100:1–5)

1 Chronicles 16:8-34 prompts more praise as it says to: “Give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works!”
- God is holy, strong
- He has done wonderful things, worked miracles
- He is great and greatly to be praised
- He is awesome
- God created the heavens
- Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in his place.
- He reigns over all

In 1 Chronicles 29:10-14, David blessed the Lord. His words of praise included . . .  
- God is our Father
- He is great, powerful, glorious, victorious, and majestic
- The heavens and earth and all that is in them belong to Him
- He is exalted as head above all.
- Riches and honor come from Him
- It is in His hand to make great and to give strength to all
- All things come from Him

Listing twenty is easy. No doubt this could be extended for pages and pages. I’m thinking that when I pray today, my ‘shopping list’ will be abandoned so that I can do what David says in Psalm 9:11, “Sing praises to the Lord, who sits enthroned in Zion! (and even) Tell among the peoples his deeds!”

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