“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.” – Psalm 150:6
The Call to Praise
Praising God is an essential element of our faith as believers. It is a call that resonates throughout scripture, encouraging us to express our gratitude and admiration for the Lord. When we engage in praise, we acknowledge God’s greatness, his mercy, and all the things he has done for us. It allows us to reconnect with the love and grace that surrounds us. Call to praise is an invitation for all of us to join in the joyful celebration of our Creator. We are encouraged to praise God not just in our hearts but openly and joyfully in our words and actions. Each time we gather in worship or go about our daily lives, we should find ways to lift our voices in homage to Him, for he is worthy of all our praise.
Psalm 66:1
“Shout for joy to God, all the earth! ” – Psalm 66:1
Hebrews 13:15
“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.” – Hebrews 13:15
Psalm 95:1
“Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.” – Psalm 95:1
Psalm 147:1
“Praise the Lord. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him!” – Psalm 147:1
1 Chronicles 16:29
“Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him. Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.” – 1 Chronicles 16:29
Praising God Through Worship
Worship is a key way in which we can praise God. Through worship, we express our love, honor, and reverence for Him. It is an opportunity for us to set aside time specifically to focus on God’s character and his goodness. Gathering for worship with fellow believers creates a powerful atmosphere where our collective voices uplift His name. Singing hymns, playing instruments, or simply meditating in silence can be profound acts of worship. Worship is more than a Sunday service; it is a lifestyle, a continuous offering of our lives back to the Lord in service and adoration. We must always look for spaces and times when we can worship Him fully and impactfully.
Acts 16:25
“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.” – Acts 16:25
Colossians 3:16
“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly…singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.” – Colossians 3:16
Psalms 100:2
“Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” – Psalm 100:2
Ephesians 5:19
“Speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord.” – Ephesians 5:19
Revelation 5:13
“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” – Revelation 5:13
Praise in Troubling Times
It is often during the most challenging times that we are called to praise God the most. While it might feel difficult to focus on God’s goodness in times of sorrow or hardship, scripture reminds us of the importance of maintaining our trust and faith in Him. Praising God acts as a source of strength and encouragement when our spirits are low. It helps us to shift our focus from our problems to God’s great power and faithfulness. By praising God through difficulties, we demonstrate our faith and provide a testament to others around us about God’s infinite mercy and love. We can find hope in knowing that even in the valleys, God is still on the throne.
Habakkuk 3:17-18
“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” – Habakkuk 3:17-18
Psalm 34:1
“I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” – Psalm 34:1
2 Chronicles 20:22
“As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.” – 2 Chronicles 20:22
Psalm 42:11
“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” – Psalm 42:11
Philippians 4:4
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” – Philippians 4:4
The Role of Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving plays a vital part in our practice of praising God. When we acknowledge all that God has done for us—both in our lives and throughout history—we open ourselves up to a deeper connection with Him. Expressing gratitude through praise leads us to better understand the blessings we have received and the love God continuously shows us. By incorporating thanksgiving into our prayers and songs, we remind ourselves and others of God’s continuous faithfulness. As we remember to give thanks, we truly embody an attitude of praise that reflects our relationship with the Lord.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Colossians 3:17
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” – Colossians 3:17
Psalm 136:1
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.” – Psalm 136:1
Psalm 107:1
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” – Psalm 107:1
Philippians 4:6
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” – Philippians 4:6
The Beauty of Continuous Praise
Praising God should not be a one-time event but a continuous practice in our lives. When we choose to continuously praise God, we develop a strong spiritual habit that keeps us connected to Him. Continuous praise allows our faith to flourish and helps us see God’s hand in every aspect of our lives. It also builds up our community as we share our testimonies of His goodness. We are reminded through scripture that praise is a powerful tool to transform our perspectives and draw us closer to God. As we make praising Him a consistent part of our daily lives, we find that it becomes easier to recognize His power and presence in all that we do.
Psalms 71:6
“From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother’s womb. I will ever praise you.” – Psalm 71:6
Revelation 4:11
“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” – Revelation 4:11
Psalm 105:1
“Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done.” – Psalm 105:1
Psalms 34:3
“Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together.” – Psalm 34:3
Psalm 30:12
“That my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise you forever.” – Psalm 30:12
The Community of Praise
Praising God is not something we do alone but is often best expressed in community with other believers. The body of Christ is called to come together to lift His name high. When we gather in His name, our collective voices create a symphony of worship that resonates with heaven. Sharing our testimonies, singing together, and supporting one another all contribute to a beautiful picture of what God desires for us as His people. We should look for every opportunity to come together in prayer and praise, understanding that our unity in Christ magnifies His glory in ways we could never achieve alone. Together, we can be an encouragement to one another as we praise God for who He is and all He has done.
Matthew 18:20
“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” – Matthew 18:20
Psalms 149:1
“Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of his faithful people.” – Psalm 149:1
Psalms 100:4
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” – Psalm 100:4
Colossians 3:14
“And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” – Colossians 3:14
Psalms 22:3
“Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the one Israel praises.” – Psalm 22:3
Final Thoughts
Praising God is at the heart of our relationship with Him. Through various means, such as worship, thanksgiving, and community, we can continuously lift our voices in praise, recognizing His greatness and goodness. In good times and bad, we should remember to focus on His love and the blessings He gives. Let us commit ourselves to maintaining a lifestyle of praise, bringing hope to ourselves and those around us as we share our stories and songs. As we glorify Him together, we not only strengthen our faith but also encourage others in theirs, reflecting the joy of our God in all that we do.
I encourage you to explore more topics about God’s character, such as giving your life to God or discovering God’s nature. There’s a whole world of scripture that speaks to the beauty of our God!