This page is for anyone who wants to praise God but does not know where to start. To praise is to tell God who he is; to worship is to turn to him with all your heart. Take these prayers as a starting point, read them aloud, then let your own words take over.
Prayers
A Prayer of Praise on Waking
Lord, from this very morning I want to bless you. Before the requests and before the worries, I take a moment to say thank you. You are good, you are faithful, you carry me day after day. I do not forget any of your benefits: the breath of this morning, the roof over my head, those I love, your forgiveness that lifts me up. Let all that is within me praise you. May my thoughts, my words and my actions today speak of your greatness. Father, I give you this day. In Jesus' name, amen.
Psalm 103:1-2
Worshiping Even When It Is Hard
Father, tonight my praise does not come easily. My heart is heavy and my words are weighed down. Still, I choose to bless you, not because everything is fine, but because you remain worthy of praise. You were good yesterday, you are good today, you will be good tomorrow. I lay before you what I do not understand and I look to you. Your faithfulness does not depend on my circumstances. Teach me to worship you at all times, even when I weep. May my praise rise to you like a sincere offering. In Jesus' name, amen.
Psalm 34:2
Worshiping You for Who You Are
Lord, I enter your presence with gratitude. I do not come to get something, I come to worship you. You are the Creator of heaven and earth, the Shepherd who leads me, the Father who welcomed me in Jesus. Your goodness endures forever and your faithfulness through all generations. Thank you for the cross, thank you for forgiveness, thank you for the Holy Spirit who lives in me. May my heart never grow tired of praising you. May my whole life be worship that pleases you. To you be the glory, now and always. Amen.
Psalm 100:4-5
Biblical proclamations
My soul blesses the Lord
« Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless his holy name! »
Psalm 103:1
I proclaim that my soul blesses the Lord and all that is within me blesses his holy name, for he is worthy of all praise.
I praise God at all times
« I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. »
Psalm 34:1
I declare that I will bless the Lord at all times and his praise shall continually be in my mouth, in joy as in trial.
I sing a new song
« Oh, sing to the Lord a new song! For he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have gained him the victory. »
Psalm 98:1
I proclaim that I sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things and his right hand has given him the victory.
Let everything that has breath praise God
« Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord! »
Psalm 150:6
I declare that everything that has breath is called to praise the Lord, and I lift my voice to join the chorus of praise that rises to the throne of God.
God inhabits my praise
« But you are holy, enthroned in the praises of Israel. »
Psalm 22:3
I proclaim that God is holy and he is enthroned in the praises of his people. My praise prepares a throne for him in my situation.
Bible verses to meditate on
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between praise and worship?
Praise celebrates what God does: his works, his gifts, his faithfulness. Worship turns to who he is: his holiness, his greatness, his love. The two go together in the Psalms. Jesus reminds us that the Father seeks worshipers who worship him in spirit and in truth (John 4:23).
Do you have to sing to praise God?
No, not necessarily. The Psalms invite us to sing, but also to speak, to give thanks, to be silent before God and to lift our hands. Praising God is first of all an attitude of the heart that recognizes his greatness. You can do it while walking, working or reading a psalm aloud, with or without music.
How do you praise God when you do not feel like it?
The Bible speaks of a sacrifice of praise (Hebrews 13:15): sometimes we praise by choice, not by emotion. Start by saying thank you for one simple thing, then read a psalm of praise, such as Psalm 103. God does not expect a perfect heart. He welcomes a sincere heart, even a tired one.
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