7. Prayer, Praise and Worship

1 Thessalonians 5 v 17 ‘Pray without ceasing …………………….’

Psalm 150 v 6 ‘ Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord’.

Key verses: Matthew 6 v 5-13, Philippians 4 v 6, Hebrews 11 v 6, 1 John 1 v 9

You know by now that communication with God is two-way. We have been studying about how God can speak to us through His Word, but we can also come to Him in prayer and in praise. (This aspect of Christian life is sometimes identified as the church’s ministry to the Lord).

We are instructed by Jesus to pray.

Read: Matthew 6 v 5-13

We are instructed to pray so we can be in our Father’s will. By praying you will be stronger spiritually.

When praying we should not forget to pray for others. Jesus taught us principles in Our Father’s prayer in Matthew.

Praying for others is one way we can help other carry their burdens.

Read: Philippians 4 v 6

Like Jesus, Paul did not suggest prayer, he commanded it this tells us that prayer is vital to the believer-a matter of spiritual life and death. At the same time, prayer is tied to practical matters, as Paul (and James) indicates.

Read: 1 John 1 v 9

Spiritual life from God begins through a prayer for forgiveness. John teaches that we will continue to have a need for forgiveness. So as soon as you recognise your offence, pray for forgiveness.

Read: Daniel 6 v 10

Daniel’s prayer life did not consist merely of praying at mealtimes and before bed; he diligently sought the Lord throughout the day-even though he faced persecution as an exile in Babylon. What a great example! (See also Luke 18 v 1)

When you pray don’t stop at obstacles. Press in through. Remember whatever you ask in the name of the Lord Jesus said I will do it.

Develop an attitude of prayer.

Read: Hebrews 11 v 6

Prayer in not an empty ritual it is a matter of faith-believing, trusting-in God. “Without faith it is impossible to please God”, says Hebrews. (see Mark 9 v 21-27)

Do you have needs today that you want to take before God? Now is the time to do just that. Remember, He loves you and already has the answer to every situation.

Believe what you are praying and look for the end results. It is your faith that will draw God. God loves people of faith.

3 Answers in prayer.

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Key verses: 1 Thessalonians 5 v 18, James 5 v 13, 1 Peter 2 v 9

Praise is the spoken declaration of God’s glory. It is directed to Him alone, though often we can glorify Him by allowing others to hear us offer praise (see Psalm 22 v 22). Throughout the Bible, praise is an acknowledgment of God as the Creator and man as the created (Psalm 8).

Read: 1 Peter 2 v 9

Just as in the Old Testament God chose the Jews to be His people, in the New Testament He chose the Christian: We have been chosen to offer God praise. In 1 Peter 2 v 5, Peter says we offer “spiritual sacrifices” (in contrast to literal sacrifices) to God, In 1 Peter 2 v 9, people seem to be the audience: We “declare” God’s praises so others get the message. Note that this verse also tells what God has done and why He is worthy of praise. (see Psalm 9 v 11)

Praise can take the form of thanks for what God has done, but it is also includes a recognition of who He is. Tell God how much you love Him and thank Him for His fellowship with you, then praise Him because of who He is, the great God of all things.

Read: 1 Thessalonians 5 v 18

Paul told the believers at Philippi that he has “learned in whatsoever state I am, to be content”. For it is God’s will that His people have hearts of gratitude, in contrast to unbelievers, whose lives are usually marked by ingratitude. (Romans 1 v 21) Prayer helps us to tune into God’s will. As our prayer life develops, our relationship also develops.

Read: Psalm 34 v 1

There are many forms of praise. In the Old Testament the word praise has a number of meanings.

Barak – To kneel, to bless God as an act of adoration.

Halal – To boast, to rave, to celebrate.

Zamar – Striking with the fingers.

Hilluwl – Rejoicing, a celebration

Yadah – Holding out of hands as to throw a stone away.

to revere, to shout, to praise. Being thankful, thanksgiving.

Shaback – To address in a loud tone, i.e loud command.

Tehillah – A hymn

Towdah – An extension of the hand.

We praise God for everything he has done. Start praising Him for your life. You should let praise become a part of your character. Praise can take many forms, but remember the focus must be the same.

Read: Psalm 22 v 3

God inhabits praises. This means wherever praises are God will come into them. When God draws to praises, he will enter the object that is giving the praise-that means you. Praises draw God. When God is in you anything is possible. Everything God is, is with you. So begin to praise.

Key Verses: 1 Kings 8 v 27, Psalms 50 v 23, 95 v 6-7, 100 v 4, Isaiah 66 v 2-23

In addition to the praise that we bring to the Lord individually, we offer praise collectively when we come together anywhere as the body of Christ, when we gather in His name. As a corporate body, we praise God together and receive directions from him. There is a great blessing in corporate praises, because it is when we magnify him. When the body magnifies God great acts can be seen with in our midst, and all our needs can be met.

Read: John 4 v 22 – 24

Worship is more intimate than praise. Everyone is instructed to praise God. Worship on the other hand gives God honor and praise, just because He is God. To become a worshipper you must have a meaningful relationship with the creator.

In the Old Testament people who worshipped bowed down and paid God homage. The word worship actually means to prostrate before God. Worship is to pay homage. The Bible says they that worship, must worship in spirit and truth. We must seek to worship God through his Spirit.

Read: Psalm 95 v 6-7

God desires that His people come together for worship and praise (see also Hebrews 10 v 25). If you have yet to make church attendance a regular part of your life, take the admonition of this verse and become part of a congregation. If you already are a part, join your voice with theirs in praising the Lord.

What are we to do when we gather as God’s people? Listen to His Word and praise Him. Every time you attend church remind yourself that a primary reason for such a gathering is to praise the Lord (See Psalm 96 v 8 -9). Once you begin to praise Him, move up into worship.

God does not live in buildings; He lives in people, thus God can be worshipped by His people anywhere. The early Jewish Christians used the synagogues until they were no longer welcome. Then they used their own homes. Buildings set aside exclusively for meetings of the church (that is, God’s people) did no come until much later. When the Bible uses the word “church” it means the people of God. For example when Jesus said “I will build my church”, He was talking about people, not buildings.

We must first learn to worship God for ourselves, in our private times with him. We must become a vessel of worship, a human temple, where God is our focus.

Read: Psalms 50 v 23, 100 v 4

Here the Psalmist encourages us to praise the Lord. Why? Read Verse 5 of chapter 100.

In Psalm 50 v 23 God speaks of showing us his salvation. That is reason enough to praise Him, but you will learn more reasons as you grow in God.

Yes you must praise God for what he has done, but don’t forget to worship him for just being God.