Praise Prayers

In our last discussion we talked about how Paul encouraged others in his prayer for them.  He also never ceased to give God praise for all that He has done.  This is something we all should remember in our prayers.  As we talk to God, we should acknowledge how great a God He is, how good He is to us and all the things He has done for us.  There are so many scriptures to choose from that have prayers of praise, particularly from the Psalms, but also many in both the Old and New Testaments.  Many scriptures acknowledge God’s greatness and may not actually be part of a prayer, but I think by reading these and perhaps using some of them in our prayer will honor God.  As the authors do, let us not only acknowledge Him in our prayers but share it with all those around us.

1 Peter 1:3-5

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Daniel 2:20-22

“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,

For wisdom and might are His.

And He changes the times and the seasons;

He removes kings and raises up kings;

He gives wisdom to the wise

And knowledge to those who have understanding.

He reveals deep and secret things;

He knows what is in the darkness,

And light dwells with Him.

As we pray, we can remember God’s greatness.    Praise God for His works for His wonders.  Know that He is the creator of all.  All of creation obey Him.  He is in control.  He guides us.  He knows all and sees all.

Jeremiah 51:15-16

He has made the earth by His power;

He has established the world by His wisdom,

And stretched out the heaven by His understanding.

When He utters His voice —

There is a multitude of waters in the heavens:

“He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth;

He makes lightnings for the rain;

He brings the wind out of His treasuries.”

Even those who are not believers can see God’s mighty power and acknowledge His greatness.  This is what King Darius of Babylon says about God after He rescued Daniel from the mouth of lions in the lions’ den:

Daniel 6:26-27

For He is the living God,

And steadfast forever;

His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed,

And His dominion shall endure to the end.

He delivers and rescues,

And He works signs and wonders

In heaven and on earth,

Who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.

No matter what we may be going through we can always rely on God to help us through our struggles.  We can always be reminded that everything will work out and that God loves us.  He is for us.  Who can be against us?  Even when people are against us, He is at our side.  Our hope is in Him.  Let us always put our trust in God.  Christ died for our sin and we can glory in Him.  Praise His holy name for all He has done.

Romans 8:28-39

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written:

“For Your sake we are killed all day long;

We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 11:33-36

Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!

“For who has known the mind of the Lord?

Or who has become His counselor?”

Or who has first given to Him

And it shall be repaid to him?”

For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.