When’s the last time you praised God? It has been a really long time for me and I didn’t even realize it. With modified church services due to the prolonged pandemic, I somehow lost my sense of worship. However, there is importance in praising God, maybe more than I imagined.
Tuning into the local worship service through Facebook live last Sunday, I noticed something was missing. Where was the praise portion of the worship service? Although some songs were sung, it is hard to worship collectively when we are apart. I miss standing shoulder to shoulder, with other believers, raising our voices in one accord.
Later in the week, during my regular time with God, I seemed more restless than usual. Struggling to focus on scripture or even pray, I turned to YouTube and found my favorite playlist. As I closed my eyes, I began listening to a series of praise songs. The music soothed my soul and allowed me to move into a place of worship. Praising God somehow led me into His presence.
Praise leads us into God’s presence.
Scripture encourages us to praise God. But until you do it, you just cannot know all the reasons why you should. When we praise God, we experience God. In those experiences, God gives us what we need.
Isaiah 45:5 NIV says; “I am the Lord, and there is no other;
apart from me there is no God.”
Hebrews 13:15 says; “let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.”
Psalm 145:3 says, “Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;
his greatness no one can fathom.”
Alone on my couch that morning, I lifted my hands and my voice in adoration for our King. As the tears flowed down my cheeks, I realized the importance of praise. Then the most mysterious thing happened. As I offered up my gift of praise, God gave me something back. God revealed His love for me and I experienced healing, encouragement and renewal. Some of these gifts I did not even know I needed. But God knows.
In times of praise, God reminds us how much He loves us.
There is a quote from The Power of Awareness by Neville, that reads, “The knowledge that your creator never would have made you had he not loved you must fill your heart with devotion, yes, with adoration… It is when you’re feeling of reverence is most intense that you are closest to God, and when you are closest to God, your life is richest.”
As I finished up my time with God that day, I couldn’t tell you how long I sat there, relishing in the presence of God. I felt suspended in a place where time did not exist. It was just me and God. Then, just when I thought this must be what it feels like to bask in God’s presence, the sun came streaming through my window and surrounded me in light and warmth. It was as if God was looking lovingly upon me. Reminding me, that God is here. God is so good!
There is importance in praising God. In those moments, God comes and meets with us. We experience God in new ways and God gives us exactly what we need. Why would we not give Him all of our praise?
Today, instead of praying together, I would like us to praise God together. Below you will find a link to 2-hours of praise music. Would you join me and take 10 minutes to praise God? Let’s settle in, close our eyes and lift our hands in adoration of all that God is. Let’s go meet God and find out how important praise really is.
P.S. Comment below and let me know how it went. You know I love to hear from you. My prayer is that you experience God in brand new ways. God loves you and wants you to know it. -M
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2 thoughts on “The importance of praise”
I also miss the praise music. May I feel the Presence of God today in a very special way. Love you
Absolutely one of your best…