How can we incorporate praise into our personal and communal prayer life? Key Verse 2 Chronicles 20:21: “Then, after consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the LORD and praise the splendor of His holiness. When they went out before the army, they were singing: ‘Give thanks to the LORD, for His loving devotion endures forever.’” Key Observations from the Passage • Praise was intentional—Jehoshaphat “appointed” singers. • Praise led the way—singers marched “before the army.” • Praise was Scripture-saturated—the song echoed Psalm 136:1. • Praise declared God’s character—His “loving devotion” and “holiness.” • Praise preceded victory (vv. 22–24), showing its spiritual power. Incorporating Praise in Personal Prayer • Begin with adoration before requests (Psalm 100:4; Matthew 6:9). • Speak back God’s names and attributes (Exodus 34:6; Psalm 18:2). • Sing or play worship music as part of devotional time (Ephesians 5:19). • Thank God aloud for specific acts of faithfulness (Psalm 103:1-5). • Use Scripture to frame praise—read a psalm, then echo its phrases. • Practice “breath prayers”: short statements like “Your mercy endures” throughout the day (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18). Incorporating Praise in Communal Prayer • Open gatherings with a psalm of thanksgiving read in unison (Psalm 95:1-3). • Appoint or rotate designated “praise leaders,” modeling Jehoshaphat’s singers. • Interleave songs and spoken prayer: sing a chorus, then pray on the same theme. • Encourage testimonies of answered prayer to spark congregational praise (Psalm 40:9-10). • Pray responsively—leader states a truth, group replies “For His loving devotion endures forever” (2 Chronicles 20:21). • Close meetings by corporately reciting a doxology (Jude 24-25). A Simple Praise Framework ACTS pattern with special focus on A and T: A—Adoration: “You are holy, mighty, faithful.” C—Confession: “We have failed but trust Your forgiveness.” T—Thanksgiving: “We thank You for salvation, provision, guidance.” S—Supplication: “Grant wisdom, healing, strength.” Scriptures to Fuel Praise • Psalm 145:1-3 – God’s greatness is “unsearchable.” • Isaiah 6:3 – “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts.” • Philippians 4:4 – “Rejoice in the Lord always.” • Hebrews 13:15 – “Offer God a sacrifice of praise.” • Revelation 5:13 – All creation praising the Lamb. Closing Encouragement When praise leads—just as singers marched before Judah’s army—faith rises, fear retreats, and God’s people advance in victory. Make praise the doorway and pathway of every personal and communal prayer, and watch Him work. |
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