Praise

Giving praise may not always feel easy but it’s always needed. Giving praise to God through the good and the bad reminds us of His goodness. The God on the mountain is the same God of the valley.

Here are a few reasons why praise is important:

· Praising gives us confidence for praying

· Praise brings joy

· Praise reminds us of what God has done

· Praise can encourage others around us

Praising gives us the confidence to pray. We are reminded of the good that God has done and is able to do again. He brought you through it once, so He is capable of doing it again. We've seen Him do bigger things than what we may be asking for right now, so we know this is something He can do if He wills it. Praising reminds us that we are taken care of because we are His children.

” Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” – Psalm 100

After you remind yourself of these blessings and speak them over your life, it makes you feel good. When you praise, you are speaking all these blessings aloud. Something I like to do is every night before bed is write down 10-20 things I am grateful for. I try to not repeat something twice, and there is so much to be thankful for once you start thinking that way, it’s more difficult to stop writing than it is to find something to write about.

“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our ‘God is a consuming fire.’”- Hebrews 12:28-29

We are reminded of the things we would often overlook like having shoes, food, a bed, a house, healthy lungs, eyes to see, etc. We are reminded of what all we have been brought through when we praise. You have survived 100% of the worst days you’ve had. The God who brought you through those will be here for the next bad one. You have also seen good days, but better ones are yet to come. The same God who blessed you with those good things and good days is already working all things together for your good for the next good day.

“ Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things He has done for me.” -Psalm 103:2

Not only can praising bring you joy, but it can also bring joy to others. It is an outward display of the gratitude your spirit feels. Sharing your praise with other may give them the confidence they need to pray for the big things. It reminds others who may have prayed for you through a particular situation of just how far you have come because of God’s awesomeness.

"Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord." - Psalm 150:6

Praise is unconditional. No matter how bad of a day you’re having, there is always something to thank God for. No praise is too small, all those blessings matter. Your blessing that feels small and insignificant could be the thing someone else is yearning for.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” -Romans 12:1

We should start our prayer out with praise. This is not to butter God up, so He gives you what you want, but it reminds us that He is capable. It reminds us of why we are praying to begin with. Because He matters. His goodness matters. It says I see you; I hear you; I thank you. We can never praise too much. There’s not enough time in the day to thank God for all He has already done for us; this is not even including the things He is doing and working together for our futures.

"Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name,for in perfect faithfulness

you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago." -Isaiah 25:1

There are people out there far less fortunate than you and I, giving far more praise than we are. It may feel difficult on the off days to praise. It may feel uncomfortable to share with others. But nothing bad can come from giving God glory for working in your life. Praise Him. He deserves it.

“We praise you, God, we praise you, for your name is near; people tell of your wonderful deeds.” -Psalm 75:1