Topical Bible: Prayer: Accompanied With: Praise

◄ Prayer: Accompanied With: Praise ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

Prayer, a fundamental aspect of Christian life, is often accompanied by praise, reflecting a heart of gratitude and reverence towards God. Praise in prayer acknowledges God's character, His works, and His sovereignty, creating a holistic approach to communion with the Divine.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible frequently illustrates the intertwining of prayer and praise. In the Old Testament, the Psalms are replete with examples where prayer is seamlessly woven with praise. Psalm 100:4 exhorts believers to "Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and bless His name." This verse highlights the importance of approaching God with a heart full of praise, recognizing His goodness and faithfulness.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul emphasizes the role of praise in prayer. Philippians 4:6 instructs, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Here, thanksgiving, a form of praise, is integral to the act of presenting requests to God, suggesting that praise should accompany all forms of prayer.

Examples from Scripture

1. David's Prayers: King David, known for his deep relationship with God, often combined prayer with praise. In 1 Chronicles 29:10-13 , David blesses the LORD in the presence of the assembly, saying, "Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the splendor and the majesty, for everything in heaven and on earth belongs to You." His prayer is a profound expression of praise, acknowledging God's supreme authority and majesty.

2. The Early Church: The early Christians exemplified prayer accompanied by praise. Acts 16:25 recounts how Paul and Silas, imprisoned for their faith, "were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them." Their prayers, intertwined with hymns of praise, demonstrate a steadfast faith and trust in God's deliverance.

3. Jesus' Model: Jesus Himself modeled prayer with praise. In the Lord's Prayer, found in Matthew 6:9-13 , He begins with praise: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name." This opening line sets a tone of reverence and adoration, acknowledging God's holiness before presenting any petitions.

Theological Significance

Prayer accompanied by praise serves several theological purposes. It aligns the believer's heart with God's will, fostering a spirit of humility and dependence. Praise shifts the focus from personal needs to God's attributes, cultivating a deeper awareness of His presence and power. This practice also strengthens faith, as recalling God's past faithfulness through praise reinforces trust in His future provision.

Practical Application

Incorporating praise into prayer can be practiced in various ways. Believers are encouraged to begin their prayers with adoration, acknowledging God's attributes such as His love, mercy, and omnipotence. Singing hymns or spiritual songs during prayer times can also enhance the experience of praise. Additionally, reflecting on Scripture that highlights God's deeds and promises can inspire heartfelt praise.

In summary, prayer accompanied by praise is a biblically rooted practice that enriches the believer's spiritual life, drawing them closer to God and fostering a deeper sense of His presence and power.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 66:17
I cried to him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

But Though Prayer is Properly Confined to Vows and Supplications.. ...
... my strength" (Ps.18:1). No praise will ever ... and perverse which are not accompanied
with thanksgiving. His words are, "In everything by prayer and supplication ...
/.../of prayer--a perpetual exercise of faith/chapter 28 but though prayer.htm

Samuel, the Child of Prayer
... It was a prayer accompanied by a solemn vow that if ... sacrifice but as well was it
an altar of prayer. ... where his household gathered for worship, praise and prayer ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bounds/prayer and praying men/ix samuel the child of.htm

Modern Examples of Prayer (Continued)
... intense prayer, but that prayer must ever be accompanied with an ... of, and the nature
of the ministry of prayer, but we ... Lord, give me both, that I may praise Thee ...
/.../bounds/the weapon of prayer/xii modern examples of prayer.htm

1 John iii. 19-22
... relation to God; by which we may be guarded against all corruption through the praise
of others ... By such a certainty of being heard is their prayer accompanied. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/neander/the first epistle of john/1 john iii 19-22.htm

Formalities of Prayer: Conclusion
... innumerable dispositions of the body that, accompanied by outstretching ... last of all,
one should bring prayer to an ... You have put on praise and majesty, who are ...
/.../origen/origen on prayer/chapter xx formalities of prayer .htm

Thirty-First Lesson. Pray Without Ceasing;'
... This life devoted to God must be accompanied by the ... and the strength too for a
never-ceasing prayer-life ... ceasing joy and the never-ceasing praise, never-ceasing ...
/.../thirty-first lesson pray without ceasing.htm

1861-1869. Prayer of Hon. And Rev. Baptist Noel --Residence in ...
... the angelic host had songs of praise while, in ... poor Christian women were gathered
for prayer, and depots ... a voyage apparently so useless, and accompanied by so ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lowe/gods answers/chapter i 1861-1869 prayer of.htm

Of Prayer --A Perpetual Exercise of Faith. The Daily Benefits ...
... the hungry soul, will give thee praise and righteousness ... not find perfect faith or
repentance, accompanied with fervent ... said (sec.4), that though prayer is the ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 20 of prayera perpetual.htm

John Chapter xvii. 1-5.
... widely-spread fame of any one accompanied with praise ... and ever." [1702] There will
God's praise continue without ... accomplishment, He said in His prayer, "And now ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate cv john chapter xvii.htm

The Clergyman and the Prayer Book.
... is undoubtedly long; very long indeed when accompanied by a ... can have effect, with
our fathers' Prayer Book in ... not, Lord, our meaner song, Who praise Thee with ...
/.../moule/to my younger brethren/chapter ix the clergyman and.htm