by Jerry Senn
“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul! And forget not all his benefits” (Ps 103: 1,2).
As we enter the New Year, let’s pay close attention to an aspect of our prayer lives many we find easy to simply forget. David’s words help refresh our focus on the “benefits” (blessings and special favors) God provides for his children.
Our prayers consist of expressing petitions or requests of our heavenly father, and this is a priority. But, it is so easy to forget the value of praising, blessing, the provider, the giver of all good things (Jas 1:17).
Please consider the impact of these admonitions on our prayer lives during the New Year.
“Shout for joy to God, all the earth; sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise! Say to God, ‘How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies come cringing to you. All the earth worships you and sing praises to you; they sing praises to your name.’ Come and see what God has done; he is awesome in his deeds toward the children of man ...
“Bless our God, O peoples; let the sound of his praise be heard, who has kept our soul among the living, and has not let our foot slip ...
“Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul. I cried to him with my mouth, and high praise was on my tongue” (Psalm 66:1-5, 8-9, 16-17).
Don’t Forget to Praise!!!