Reasons to Praise – 2

I will praise God’s name with singing,
and I will honor him with thanksgiving.
For this will please the Lord (Psalm 69:30-31 bold mine).

Thankful, Praise-filled Prayer

I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart;
I will recount all your wonderful deeds.
I will be glad and exult in you;
I will sing praise to your name, O Most High (Psalm 9:1-2).

Thankful, praise-filled prayers bring joy.

The Battle is the Lord’s

Powerless against a great army, they cried to the Lord. “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you (2 Chronicles 20:12).”

They were told, “Do not be afraid. The Lord will be with you (2 Chronicles 20:17).”

They responded with praise and the Lord fought for them. None of the enemy escaped alive. There was so much spoil it took them three days to take it all. (Read the whole story in 2 Chronicles 20).

We pray because the battle is the Lord’s.

On Listening Well

The Lord knows what we’re going to say, even before we say it. But he still bends down to listen to us pray (see Psalm 139:4; 116:2).

The Lord listens so well; may He hear us praise His name!

Worship When God Answers

Here’s how the Israelites worshiped God when He delivered them:
“I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously . . .
The Lord will reign forever and ever (Exodus 15:1-18)!”

Worship when God answers you.

Chicago During Covid-19 #1

A sign, etched in stone, cries out God is worthy of glory.

May we who pass by pray, “Hallelujah! Amen.”

Palm Sunday in the City During COVID-19

Someone got up early to remember today’s meaning even though COVID-19 has locked the doors of our churches.

We paused as we passed by on our morning walk and took this picture to remind you to welcome Jesus to your city or town, to your heart and life.

Praise God for the Son of David! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Praise God in highest heaven (Matthew 21:9).

High Praise

Praise God for his mighty deeds;
Praise him according to his excellent greatness (from Psalm 150:2).

Let the high praises of God be in our throats (from Psalm 149:6).

Praise the Lord

“Nothing pleases God more than praise as a part of our prayer life, and nothing blesses someone who prays as much as the praise that is offered.”*

It is good to praise the Lord (Psalm 92:1).

*Henry Cowman as quoted in Streams in the Desert, p.299.

Try Giving Thanks

“I had recently received bad news. Deep shadows of darkness seemed to cover my soul. I prayed but the darkness remained. Suddenly, one day, as I entered a friend’s home, I noticed these words: ‘Try giving thanks.’ I did, and in a moment every shadow was gone.”*

It is good to give thanks to the Lord (Psalm 92:1).

*adapted from L.B. Cowman who cited Henry B. Frost in Streams in the Desert, p. 299.