preparing

In preparing your heart for your appointment with God why should you begin your time with God by praising Him?

1) It sets the tone for our time with God. Beginning by praising God acknowledges whose attention we have gained and reminds us who we are addressing.

2) Praising God for who He is, reminds us of God's identity and reinforces our understanding of who He is. As we praise Him, we become more aware of His power in the world and His presence in our lives.

3) Beginning by praising God follows the examples found in the Bible.

4) Perhaps most importantly God is worthy of our praise. . .

• I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies. (2 Samuel 22:4 NIV)
• For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods. (1 Chronicles 16:25 NIV)
• Great is the LORD, and most worthy of praise, in the city of our God, his holy mountain. (Psalm 48:1 NIV)
• For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods. (Psalm 96:4 NIV)
• Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. (Psalm 145:3 NIV)
• In a loud voice they sang: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!" (Revelation 5:12 NIV)

As our praise focuses on God's works and character, we see ourselves in stark contrast, filled with human failures. Praise and confession become intertwined. The more we praise God for how great He is and see our own sin, we are led into confession of our sins, which in turn leads us back to praising and thanking God for His mercy and grace and forgiveness.