Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. Matthew 6:9
When purchasing something online, do you usually read the reviews before making a purchase? Those of us who make sure to read a product's reviews before deciding whether or not to purchase an item understand that reviews are not just left for products that people dislike; they are also left for products that people love. If a product is well-liked enough, people will take their valuable time to praise it and rave about why they love it. While we are known to take time to rave about our favorite products, whether by leaving reviews or telling a friend how much we like them, these items that we rave about are not eternal. They will not last forever. As followers of Christ, an infinitely greater source of our praise is toward our eternal God, who loves us more than anything and will reign supreme forever.
Jesus sets an example for us on how to praise God as we pray, as seen in Matthew 6. In this passage of Scripture, Jesus gave His followers an example of how to pray. As He taught that day, He said, "Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy" (verse 9). Jesus began His prayer acknowledging to whom He was praying. He was praying to God the Father, who is Holy and worthy of all praise. This praise set the tone for the rest of His prayer. The same is true for us. Starting our prayers by praising God sets the tone that we are praying to the holy God of the universe, who is all-powerful and loves us. It is a reminder not to rush into asking God for things, but rather first to acknowledge who God is and praise Him.
The Psalms are full of examples of prayers of praise to God. In Psalm 8, David wrote a song of praise to God. In this prayer, He declared God’s glory. He began the prayer saying, “O Lord, our Lord, Your majestic name fills the earth! Your glory is higher than the heavens” (verse 1). As this short Psalm comes to an end, David repeats the words he began the Psalm with, saying, "O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!" (verse 9). From start to finish, David praised God.
What about your own prayer life? Are you quick to praise God as you pray, or do you focus primarily on yourself and your needs? Do you begin your time praying by praising God for who He is and all He has done, or is praise for Him offered only occasionally when you pray? My friend, God is worthy of all the praise we can bring Him, so let's commit to not just praising God, but praising God first.
Take time now to pray. Begin your prayer with the words, “God, I praise you for…” or “God, I love You for…” Tell God how good He is. Praise Him for His power and might. Praise Him for how He has worked in your life. Let your praise carry you through the rest of your day.
Psalm 8:1-9
1 O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth! Your glory is higher than the heavens. 2 You have taught children and infants to tell of your strength, silencing your enemies and all who oppose you. 3 When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers— the moon and the stars you set in place— 4 what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them? 5 Yet you made them only a little lower than God and crowned them with glory and honor. 6 You gave them charge of everything you made, putting all things under their authority— 7 the flocks and the herds and all the wild animals, 8 the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea, and everything that swims the ocean currents. 9 O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!
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