Psalm 149:1 Praise ye the Lord. Sing unto the Lord a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints. 2 Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. 4 For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation. 5 Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds. 6 Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand.
This passage of scripture focuses on what the main content of our prayers should be, that of praise and thanksgiving for the tender mercies and blessings that are renewed to us every morning. This aspect of prayer needs to get more of our attention instead of the many requests that often fill our communion with God. Whenever we approach the throne of grace, it should be with the understanding that God already knows what we have need of, so in many cases it is inappropriate for the burden of our prayers to be a long list of never ending items which God has knowledge of beforehand, and in many cases has already catered for. This is what Christ alluded to when He stated that our heavenly Father knows that we have need of all these things. Let's read:
Matthew 6:31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
There are so many things that we should praise God for, such as life itself which is sustained by His power working within us, a fact that many, even amongst Christians, take for granted. God has not created us in such a way that we can run on automatic, without His constant and daily intervention, for if this were the case, then some could truly claim independence of God. But the Bible signally puts this notion to rest by stating that all human beings live and move within the context of the God factor, even though atheists and evolutionists try in vain to deny this sacred truth. Let's read:
Acts 17:24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; 25 Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; 27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: 28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.
Again, the prayer of praise and thanksgiving should be our theme and song, with our personal requests taking a back seat, for when we seriously consider God's great mercy in sending Jesus to die in our stead so that we may have eternal life, this fact should cause spontaneous and intelligent praise to spring forth from our hearts, in gratitude for what He has done, and continues to do through Jesus. Christ not only laid down His life to save us, He also gave up a very important aspect of the God-head, that of being omnipresent. Before His incarnation The Son of God could be in every place at the same time in His full capacity, a singular and indeed a mind-boggling ability that cannot be fathomed by mortal minds. Let's read:
Psalm 139:1 O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. 2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. 8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. 9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; 10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
Yet Christ gave this up so that He could be one with us, and for this sacrifice He should be greatly praised. As a matter of fact it was because of the giving up of omnipresence why He told His disciples that it was expedient that He should go away, so that The Holy Spirit who retained that singular ability, could be with them and us, anywhere and everywhere we may go. Let's read:
John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
As we contemplate God's perfect character, His matchless love in sending Jesus, His promise of forgiveness and cleansing, and finally immortality, let our prayers of praise and thanksgiving ascend with understanding and grateful hearts, and the many needs and requests that we have will be met and fulfilled through the interposition of God according to His holy will. It's not to say that we should not make personal requests, but rather that they should not always be the main focus of our prayers, for God sees and knows all that is in our hearts, and He often answers before we call on Him. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which teaches us the importance of thanksgiving, and as we meditate on God's goodness, let our hearts be filled with His praises. Let's read:
Psalm 150:1 Praise ye the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. 2 Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. 3 Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. 4 "Praise him with stringed instruments and organs. 5 Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals. 6 Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.
May God add His blessing to the study and practice of His word. "Good night" and God bless!