prayer aNd praise

Prayer by definition is when God’s people talk to Him according to His Word, which is His will.  We cannot make up our own prayers because they may not be the will of God.  When we pray authorized prayers they will move us into the presence of God.
 
Revelation 1:10 It was Sunday and I was in the spirit praying, and I heard a loud voice.
 
John was on the island of Patmos praying in the Spirit to our Lord.  He prayed his way into the presence of the Lord and the Lord gave him revelation that became the last book in the Bible.  When we take the Word of God praying in faith we will put ourselves into His presence.  We will not always “feel” Him but we are there, this is when He will manifest as peace or speak something to you.  When we pray God’s Word He will respond to us with His Word because His Word is His will.  If the devil spoke God’s Word to us we would know who spoke because he has no love within him.
 
Psalm 22:3 You are holy O Lord who inhabits the praises of His people.
 
So, prayer will move us into the presence of God, praise will move God into our presence.  Perhaps we would not need to pray so long to get into His presence, if we would begin with praise.  If you can’t think of a reason to praise Him, let me give you one, the cross.  God does not have to do one more thing for me, taking my place on the cross was an eternal act of love.  I have begun to praise Him and will continue throughout all of eternity.  One very uninformed man said:
 
I would rather reign in hell than serve in heaven!
 
This poor fool has no idea of what he is setting himself up for.  I was a sinner destined for hell because the wages of sin is death, but God forgave me, cleansed me and wrote my name in the book of life.  I would rather serve in heaven than burn in hell for all eternity.  Praise the Lord, Selah.
 
Psalm 100:4 Enter His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him and bless His Name.
 
Bless - congratulate Him, thank Him, salute Him, adore Him, praise.
 
Years ago I was watching Mayberry RFD on the TV and Andy Griffin’s character said something to his girlfriend I have never forgotten.  “I didn’t come calling with a hand full of nothing and a mouth full of gimmee.”  I wonder how many people talk to God only when they want something?  God would like to know how we feel about Him occasionally, I don’t believe  He ever gets tired of being praised and blessed.  If we are wise we will spend our whole day thanking and praising Him, then when we need to pray the table is set.
 
Philippians 2:10 That at the Name of Jesus every knee shall bow.
 
When it comes to Jesus the devil must bow he has no choice, but we get to bow we have the choice, this is what makes praise genuine.  The Lord does not want to command us to praise, He desires that we choose to worship Him.  So, let’s change the title, instead of Prayer and Praise let’s make it Praise and Prayer. 

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