Praise: Step 1 For Cultivating Daily Delight in Prayer
Scripture:
Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour?”
Matthew 26:40 (NKJV)
Pray at all times—on every occasion, in every season—in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty.
Ephesians 6:18 (AMP)
12 Steps for Cultivating Daily Delight in Personal Prayer
“Could you not watch with Me one hour?”
Matthew 26:40 (NKJV)
Step One: _________________________
Basic Definition
The Act of Divine _____________________
Action Focus: Declared _______________________
Key Word: ______________________
PRAISE: A Biblical Basis
Scripture:
Reverently respect God, your God, serve him, hold tight to him, back up your promises with the authority of his name. He’s your praise! He’s your God! He did all these tremendous things, these staggering things that you saw with your own eyes.
Deuteronomy 10:20-21 (MSG)
Let them praise the name of God—it’s the only Name worth praising. His radiance exceeds anything in earth and sky; he’s built a monument—his very own people!
Psalm 148:13 (MSG)
Hallelujah! Praise the name of God, praise the works of God.
Psalm 135:1 (MSG)
Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the Gentiles, to give thanks to Your holy name, to triumph in Your praise.
Psalm 106:47 (NKJV)
Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You.
Psalm 63:3 (NKJV)
Origin of the word “PRAISE”
From the Old French word: Presier
Presier meaning: “to ____________”
When we ___________ something we…
ESTEEM IT!
CHERISH IT!
TREASURE IT!
Voices from the Past:
“Since Satan is the great hindrance to successful prayer, when he is bound and banished from a situation the answers come through without fail. After all, successful prayer is overcoming satanic opposition to the purpose of God. The missing element in weak prayer is triumphant faith. And the missing element in weak faith is praise — perpetual, purposeful, aggressive praise. Praise is the spark plug of faith. It is the one thing needed to get faith airborne, enabling it to soar above the deadly influence of doubt. And the secret of faith without doubt is praise — continuous, massive, triumphant praise, praise that is a way of life.”
—Paul E. Billheimer
PRAISE: A Prayer Application
Verbalize God’s _______________.
PRAISE: A Life Application
Honor _________________ with praise.
Where to Next?
PRAISING…
Four Ways to Get Started and Keep Going!
Following are four suggestions to help you personally apply this aspect of the 12 in daily prayer.
A Practical Prayer Summary
Step 1 in World-Changing Prayer
- Sanctify, or set aside a period of time specifically to praise God at the beginning of your prayer time.
- Select a specific theme for praise, such as God’s righteousness, His Word or His creative acts.
- Drawing on your selected theme, declare vocally all that God is.
- Expand your theme as much as possible. Allow God to reveal new themes for worship as your time of praise develops.
Afterthoughts...Ponder and Pray
Ponder Points:
Discuss (or ponder) why you think aggressive praise can fill our praying with triumphant faith. Discuss (or make a list) of as many aspects of God’s nature and character for which you might praise Him.
Personal Afterthoughts
Prayer Points:
Take time to verbalize (speak out) aspects of God’s nature and character as you discussed or listed moments ago. Acknowledge God for who He is or what He has done because of His nature or character.
