Praise and Thanksgiving

By Billy Graham

As that young man wrote, “God already knows what I want”—but if all we do is ask God for things we want, our prayers quickly become selfish. Although the thought might shock us, we begin to think of God as little more than a glorified Santa Claus to whom we turn only when we want something. But God is far greater than this. Remember: God isn’t our servant; we are His servants.

True prayer begins with seeing God as He really is—and that is why praise should be a regular part of our prayers. When we praise God, our focus is on Him, not on ourselves. Many of the psalms are actually prayers of praise, and it is no accident that the word “praise” occurs in the book of Psalms over two hundred times. The Lord’s Prayer begins with praise” “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name” (Matthew 6:9). Paul began one of his letters “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3).

A second dimension of prayer which helps us focus on God is thanksgiving, which is closely related to praise. The Bible says, “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name” (Psalm 100:4).

Why should we give thanks? One reason is because everything we have comes from God: “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father” (James 1:17). We can’t take credit for anything—even our successes. God gave us our abilities; He arranged our circumstances; He blessed our efforts. Therefore, the Bible says, “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever” (Psalm 106:1). We also are to “give thanks in all circumstances, for this God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). How long has it been since you paused to thank God for all He has done for you?

Praise Him Praise Him

Praise Him in the morning,

Praise Him in the noontime

Praise Him, praise Him,

Praise Him when the sun goes down.