Enter His Courts With Praise!

Tonight, as I enter His presence... there's so many things to pray about. I have many of you and your family's on my list. There's a hurricane approaching the gulf coast, threatening damaging wind and flooding to our daughter's, friend's and our own home. There's a lingering pandemic and upcoming election that must be bathed in prayer. We have a new church that needs volunteers in order to get everything accomplished that must be done before we open... and of course the lost and broken people that we want to touch. My husband is retiring in January and I'm trying to find a job in Florida after 35 years of working at the same place... that's not easy and I'm seeking His will and guidance. The list goes on and on and it's so important to bring those things before the Lord and pray a prayer of faith, trusting that God will take care of every need. 

Prayer is a very powerful tool, the Lord uses it to fulfill His will on the earth, but... as important as all of those requests are.... there's something that's often neglected, yet very much more important than any of this....

Let's think about the Lord's prayer for a moment. It was God's example of what our prayers should consist of and knowing God's attention to detail, I'm sure that even the order was to be followed. Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name... Jesus gives us the example of entering the throne room with  praise and worship! Not one request was made without first acknowledging who He is and offering up heartfelt love and adoration! We serve an incredible God who takes pleasure in our worship. In psalm 149, He even calls our praises... WEAPONS OF WAR! Yes! Our praise and worship not only turns our attention away from our problems and needs, to God and His glory, but it moves His heart on our behalf and it has the power to destroy the work of the enemy!

You want power in your prayer? Don't enter the throne room with your requests... enter with praise... take your time... enjoy blessing Him, bathe yourself in His presence, then ask Him to reveal His will and pray that it comes to pass,  then present your requests to the Lord. There's nothing wrong with bringing your list to Him as long as the list has its proper place. It can't be the sole purpose of your prayer life. That will never develop a healthy relationship. Your primary focus must be loving on Jesus... though we are thankful for all that He's done, it's who He is that is worthy of praise! Spend time getting to know Him through your Bible and your intimate time in His presence and as you do, you will be able to boldly enter His throne room and find the grace to help you when you need it most!

Hebrews 4:16 (NLT) So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

Psalm 149:4-7 (TPT) For He enjoys His faithful lovers.He adorns the humble with His beauty and He loves to give them the victory. His godly lovers triumph in the glory of God, and their joyful praises will rise even while others sleep. God’s high and holy praises fill their mouths, for their shouted praises are their weapons of war!These warring weapons will bring vengeance on every opposing force and every resistant power—

Matthew 6:9-13 (NKJV) After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Psalm 100:4 (NKJV) Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise.Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.