The Power of Praise: Discovering the Majesty of God

In our bustling lives, it's easy to take prayer for granted. We often approach it casually, thinking we understand its workings. But what if we took a step back and, like Jesus' disciples, asked, "Lord, teach us to pray"? This simple request opens the door to a profound journey of discovery, inviting us to explore the depths of communion with our Creator.

At the heart of meaningful prayer lies praise. When Jesus taught His disciples to pray, He began with, "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name." This isn't just a polite opening; it's a powerful declaration of God's holiness and our reverence for Him. But what does it truly mean to hallow God's name?

To hallow means to make holy or to set apart. When we pray, "hallowed be your name," we're essentially saying, "God, may Your very being be recognized as holy." It's an acknowledgment of His perfect nature, His supreme authority, and His worthiness of all honor.

Psalm 111 beautifully captures this spirit of praise: "Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them. Full of splendor and majesty is His work, and His righteousness endures forever." This psalm reminds us that praising God isn't just about words; it's about delighting in who He is and what He does.

As we delve deeper into praise, we discover two primary wellsprings: who God is and what He does. Let's explore these further:

Who God Is:

1. All-Perfect: God's holiness sets Him apart. He is flawless in every way – in His thoughts, actions, and very being. Isaiah 6 gives us a glimpse into heaven, where angels continually cry, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty." This triple declaration emphasizes the completeness of God's perfection.

2. All-Powerful: From speaking the universe into existence to performing miracles, God's power knows no bounds. As Jesus said in Matthew 19:26, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

3. All-Perceptive: Psalm 139 beautifully illustrates God's omniscience. He knows our thoughts before we think them, our words before we speak them. This perfect knowledge allows us to trust His guidance completely.

4. All-Present: There is nowhere we can go where God is not. Whether in the heights of joy or the depths of despair, He is there. As the psalmist declares, "If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!"

What God Does:

1. Supplies All Our Needs: Jesus reminds us in Matthew 6 not to worry about our basic needs. If God cares for the birds and flowers, how much more will He care for us? This truth frees us to "seek first the kingdom of God," trusting Him to provide.

2. Saves Us from Sin: Ephesians 2 paints a stark picture of our condition without Christ – "dead in our trespasses." But God, rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ. This salvation is purely by grace, a gift we could never earn.

3. Sustains Us in His Love: Once saved, God doesn't leave us to fend for ourselves. As Paul confidently states in 2 Timothy 1:12, "I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me."

Reflecting on these truths should stir our hearts to ceaseless praise. The more we dwell on God's character and actions, the more we realize how truly awesome He is. Our praise becomes not just an activity but a state of being.

Consider Jesus – not as a distant historical figure, but as your personal King. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords. The great S. M. Lockridge eloquently established: "He is sovereign, limitless in love, enduringly strong, eternally steadfast, and impartially merciful. He is the centerpiece of civilization, the highest personality in philosophy, and the only all-sufficient Savior! He supplies strength for the weak, forgives sinners, delivers captives, and beautifies the meager. His life is matchless, His goodness limitless, His mercy everlasting, and His love never-changing. He is indescribable yet intimately knowable, incomprehensible yet irresistible. Death couldn't handle Him, and the grave couldn't hold Him. That's my King!"¹

As we learn to pray with purpose, let's start by intentionally praising God. Set your mind on who He is and what He does. You'll find yourself lost in the magnitude of His greatness, never ceasing to be in awe of Him.

This deeper understanding of praise challenges us:

1. Are we taking the necessary time and effort to pray with purpose?
2. Are we spending adequate time reflecting on God's character and actions?
3. When we say, "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name," do we truly dwell on what that means?

Most importantly, do you really know this King? Is He your King?

For some, this might be a wake-up call. Perhaps you're realizing that the Jesus described here is unfamiliar to you, but you want to know Him. Maybe you're recognizing your need for the salvation only He can provide. If so, don't hesitate to call out to Him. Agree with Him that your sin is disastrous and has separated you from Him. Recognize that despite your sin He loves you and made a way for your forgiveness through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Call upon Jesus as Lord and ask Him to save you from sin and death. Surrender your life to Him and thank Him for loving you and giving you new life with new purpose. If you have made that declaration please send me a message at pastor@pawhuskafbc.org. I would love to follow up with you and help you with your next steps!

Whatever your response to these truths, let the Holy Spirit guide you. In a world full of distractions and worries, let's anchor ourselves in the practice of purposeful praise. As we do, we'll find our perspective shifting, our faith strengthening, and our lives transforming. For in praising God, we align ourselves with the very purpose for which we were created – to glorify Him and enjoy Him forever.

As we grow in our understanding of who God is and all that He does, may we never cease praising His name. "Our Father in heaven, holy be Your name. May Your kingdom come and Your will be done, right here in us. AMEN!"

¹S.M. Lockridge, That's My King, found at https://youtu.be/yzqTFNfeDnE?si=LzVR3bXPQwq2Ks_G