MORNING MANNA          1/28/20

If there is any constant in my life other than eating, and sleeping, it is prayer. I don’t mean a formal or verbal prayer that can be seen or heard by others. I’m talking about the continuous groanings and yearnings of my heart – my repeated cries for God’s help.

However, over the last several months I have become more and more aware of my need to praise God first and foremost. After all, does not our Lord’s lesson on prayer begin with “Our Father which art in heaven. Hallowed be thy name” (Matt. 6:9). The Puritan, Thomas Brooks said, “There is more need of praise than there is of prayers, for our mercies out weigh our needs”. Indeed they do and our understanding of that fact ought to be evident.  I love the fact that our church has a reputation for being friendly, and I hope we never lose it. But I am even more concerned about being known for our praise. But beyond that, I am more concerned about our private praise than I am about public praise – we shouldn’t lack in either, and we won’t if we major on the latter. Every Christian should make it a holy habit to praise God.

Not only should we praise God for who He is, we ought to thank Him for what He has done. Both are important. When praise for God is my chief concern I cannot help but be thankful. And knowing who God is and what He has done I will be greatly encouraged to take my petitions to Him. If you are failing to pray as you should I suggest you do as you should and praise the Lord. When we make that the priority everything else falls into order.

Make this Thanksgiving season a turning point in your life. The reason why we give thanks to God for what He has done is because of who He is. And that reminds us that He is due our highest praise. Pray for me in this regard, but first take time to praise the Lord! – HDS

David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346