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!”