Praise: Step 12 For Cultivating Daily Delight in Prayer
“Could you not watch with Me one hour?”
Matthew 26:40 (NKJV)
Step Twelve _________________________
Basic Definition
The Act of Joyful ________________________
Action Focus: Verbalized ____________________
Key Word: _____________________
Voices from the Past:
“Those who pray well will praise well; prayer and praise are the two lips of the soul; two bells to ring out the sweet and acceptable music in the ears of God; two angels to climb Jacob’s ladder; two altars smoking with incense.”
—Charles Spurgeon
PRAISE: A Biblical Basis
Scripture:
So let Heaven rejoice, let Earth be jubilant, and pass the word among the nations, “God reigns!”
1 Chronicles 16:31 (MSG)
Celebrate all the good things that God, your God, has given you and your family…
Deuteronomy 26:11 (MSG)
But let the godly rejoice. Let them be glad in God’s presence. Let them be filled with joy. Sing praises to God and to his name! Sing loud praises to him who rides the clouds. His name is the Lord—rejoice in his presence!
Psalm 68:3-4 (NLT)
Exult in his holy name; rejoice, you who worship the Lord. Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him.
Psalm 105:3-4 (NLT)
I will tell of the Lord’s unfailing love. I will praise the Lord for all he has done. I will rejoice in his great goodness to Israel, which he has granted according to his mercy and love.
Isaiah 63:7 (NLT)
Let those on the hunt for you sing and celebrate. Let all who love your saving way say over and over, “God is mighty!”
Psalm 70:4 (MSG)
Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!
Philippians 4:4 (NLT)
Voices from the Past:
“We have had much teaching on prayer, but until recently have had little on praise. Yet there is much more emphasis in the Bible on praise than prayer. In the Bible, the entire universe, animate and inanimate, is envisioned as one grand chorus of praise to the Creator. Notice especially Psalms 148-150. Psalm 145:10 declares that ‘all thy works shall praise thee…’ Praise is the highest occupation of angels. Heaven is one grand paean of praise. Cherubim and seraphim unceasingly adore Him. Surely that which occupies the total time and energies of heaven must be a fitting pattern for earth.”
—Paul Billheimer
Summary Definition of PRAISE…
A time to ________________
Voices from the Past:
“Happy is he whose fingers are wedded to his harp. He who praises God for mercies shall never lack a mercy for which to praise.”
—Charles Spurgeon
PRAISE: A Prayer Application
Verbalize God’s ____________.
Voices from the Past:
“Solomon prevailed much with God in prayer at the dedication of the temple, but it was the voice of praise which brought down the glory and filled the house.”
—D. L. Moody
PRAISE: A Life Application
Cultivate a ______________ attitude.
Where to Next?
PRAISE…
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 12 in World-Changing Prayer
- End your prayer time with specific praise concerning God’s greatness. Focus your praise on His omnipotence (power), His omniscience (knowledge), and His omnipresence (presence).
- With the Psalmist, “praise God because He has done it.” Look back at your devotional hour and praise God for hearing each of your requests.
- Let your spirit “rejoice” for a few moments at the close of prayer. Repeat the universal word for praise, “Hallelujah!” Don’t be afraid to shout it out!
- As Martin Luther suggested, when your devotional hour concludes, make your “amen” strong. Confess with authority that you believe God has heard your every prayer.
Afterthoughts...Ponder and Pray
Ponder Points:
Discuss (or ponder) what you think it means to rejoice in prayer. What do you think Paul the Apostle meant when he said, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say, rejoice!” Why is such rejoicing a good way to conclude one’s time of personal prayer?
Personal Afterthoughts
Prayer Points:
To rejoice means “to give joy” and to “feel joy or great delight.” Take time in prayer to tell God specifically why you delight in Him and why His presence fills you with great joy. Praise God simply because you enjoy Him. Try to put that joy into words.
