A. WHY BEGIN PRAYER WITH PRAISE
1. Because Jesus instructed them to begin the Lord’s Prayer. “Hallowed be Your name” (Matt. 6:9). Other versions translate this to mean to honor His name, to reverence His name, to hold high His name.
2. Because the psalmist commands you, “Enter . . . His courts with praise” (Ps. 100:4).
3. Because God alone deserves it. “My soul shall make its boast in the Lord” (Ps. 34:2).
4. Because Jesus invited you. “The Father seeks worship” (John 4:23).
5. Because praise is your first honest response. “Let the highest praise of God be in their mouth” (Ps. 149:6).
6. Psalms – the central and primary book in the Bible pulls praise out of us. “Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name” (Ps. 103:1).
B. WHAT IS REAL PRAISE?
1. A sincere acknowledgement of God’s worth or value. “Praise Him according to His excellency” (Ps. 150:2).
2. A conviction that must be expressed. “Worthy is the Lamb” (Rev. 5:12).
3. Gratitude of genuine appreciation and recognition.
C. HOW CAN WE EXPRESS OUR SINCERE PRAISE?
1. Words or shouts from the mouth/soul. “Let your saints shout for joy” (Ps. 139:9).
2. Social utterance, a desire to praise God in the hearing of others.
3. Sacrifice – what you yield or give up for God. “Let us continually offer the sacrifices of praise to God” (Heb. 13:5).
4. Song of expression of the soul in music, verses, chants, etc. “I will sing a new song to You, O God! I will sing Your praises” (Ps. 144:9, NLT).
5. Testimony. “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so” (Ps. 107:2).
6. Mingled with dancing and physical expression of gratitude. “Praise His name with dancing” (Ps. 149:3).
7. With uplifted hands. “And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground” (Neh. 8:6). Also see (1 Tim. 3:2; Ex. 17:11; Ps. 63:4).
D. THINGS OR REASONS TO PRAISE GOD
1. For God’s majesty, glory, and magnificent grace. “Let heaven and earth praise Him” (Ps. 69:34).
2. For God’s works in creation, providence. “All Your works shall praise You” (Ps. 145:10). I pray each morning, “Lord you are Elohim – Creator – I am your creation, use me today.”
3. For His choice of you, salvation and redemption. “All the people saw him walking and praising God” (Acts 3:8).
4. For His guidance, using you, spiritual gifts. “You have been with me from birth; from my mother’s womb You have cared for me.
No wonder I am always praising You!” (Ps. 71:9).
5. For future heaven and eternal life with Him. “You heard the word . . . we are sealed . . . guaranteed of our possession . . . to the praise of His glory” (Eph. 1:13-14).
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
Dr. Towns’ email is eltowns@liberty.edu.
Video presentations of the PBC are available online at trbc.org/pbc
Television Airing Times for the PBC
Go to hopenow.tv for the current program schedule.
