A woman told me yesterday how heartening it was for her to sing "Bless the Lord, O My Soul" repeatedly in a small group the night before.
She felt uplifted and she continued to sing the song yesterday morning.
I found this striking because she is worried about her husband who is gradually declining with a chronic illness.
Her words reminded me that Christians are called to praise the Lord and offer thanks continually, no matter what the circumstances. Too often, I forget this truth and allow myself to plunge into irritation or even gloom.
When I do praise and thank the Lord, I find my outlook on life changes. I am aware that God is in control of my circumstances and I can relax in him.
Joyce Meyer, author of The Power of Simple Prayer, says that praise, worship and thanksgiving are "the simplest prayers we can pray and they will release great power in our lives".
Meyer notes that there is a great deal of overlap between praise, worship and thanksgiving. But the common thread is God - putting God at the centre of our attention.
"God responds to . . . respectful, heartfelt corporate worship," Meyer writes. "He sends his glory - his manifest presence and power - to people who are truly praising and worshiping him.
"And when his glory comes, miracles happen, people are healed, lives are changed, and transformation takes place from the inside out."
I have read stories of healing taking place as people worship and praise God.
Meyer says every time she speaks, she spends time worshiping and praising God - "not because God needs it, but because I need it". She expresses joy for what God has done for her and what he is going to do.
She adds that "I need to make sure that I have a clear connection with heaven".
She notes that praise is a form of spiritual warfare because it drives away Satan and fear.
Meyer urges us to make praise and thanksgiving a natural part of everyday living - even in the minute it takes to walk from a parking lot into a store.
She offers simple prayers, such as thanking God for what he is doing in her life; for taking care of her family; for ordinary blessings such as electricity; and for working things out for her good.
Praise, thanksgiving and worship draw us closer to God. And they enable God to work powerfully in our lives.
She felt uplifted and she continued to sing the song yesterday morning.
I found this striking because she is worried about her husband who is gradually declining with a chronic illness.
Her words reminded me that Christians are called to praise the Lord and offer thanks continually, no matter what the circumstances. Too often, I forget this truth and allow myself to plunge into irritation or even gloom.
When I do praise and thank the Lord, I find my outlook on life changes. I am aware that God is in control of my circumstances and I can relax in him.
Joyce Meyer, author of The Power of Simple Prayer, says that praise, worship and thanksgiving are "the simplest prayers we can pray and they will release great power in our lives".
Meyer notes that there is a great deal of overlap between praise, worship and thanksgiving. But the common thread is God - putting God at the centre of our attention.
"God responds to . . . respectful, heartfelt corporate worship," Meyer writes. "He sends his glory - his manifest presence and power - to people who are truly praising and worshiping him.
"And when his glory comes, miracles happen, people are healed, lives are changed, and transformation takes place from the inside out."
I have read stories of healing taking place as people worship and praise God.
Meyer says every time she speaks, she spends time worshiping and praising God - "not because God needs it, but because I need it". She expresses joy for what God has done for her and what he is going to do.
She adds that "I need to make sure that I have a clear connection with heaven".
She notes that praise is a form of spiritual warfare because it drives away Satan and fear.
Meyer urges us to make praise and thanksgiving a natural part of everyday living - even in the minute it takes to walk from a parking lot into a store.
She offers simple prayers, such as thanking God for what he is doing in her life; for taking care of her family; for ordinary blessings such as electricity; and for working things out for her good.
Praise, thanksgiving and worship draw us closer to God. And they enable God to work powerfully in our lives.
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