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Prayerful Praise

In the Word

[Jesus said,] “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father” (John 14:13).

Of the Word

God-pleasing prayer is a matter of the heart.

First, a pure heart. The psalmist prayed, Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me (Psalm 51:10). Sincere confession shows we know who we are in relation to God — sinners standing before the throne of holiness.

Second, an undivided heart, one firmly grounded in faith. The person who doubts the effectiveness of prayer should not think he will receive anything from the Lord (James 1:7b).

Third, a fervent and genuine heart. Not with empty chatter or thoughtless repetition do we speak to our heavenly Father, but in heartfelt prayer, we call on him in truth (Psalm 145:18b).

And fourth, a heart after God’s own heart, that is, according to His will and purpose. Jesus taught His disciples to say, “your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10b). And He set an example in the Garden of Gethsemane when in His agony He said, “…not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42b).

Praise God with a heart — a heart of prayer!

Walking with my Lord

O Lord, how graciously You show You care
Inviting me to come to You in prayer.
In Your Holy name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Praise. Author: Patricia Mitchell. 28/32 ©2007 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Wonder-full Praise

In the Word

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well (Psalm 139:14).

Of the Word

The old saying goes “seeing is believing,” yet the psalmist saw nothing. Believing God had quit working in his life, he cried, “Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?” His prayers for deliverance weren’t being answered in any tangible way. The psalmist noted the contempt of those who couldn’t see God at work in his life, either: “Where is your God?” they sneered. Faith, however, doesn’t quit. While the psalmist had no visible evidence of God’s work in his life at that moment, the Holy Spirit was clearly at work in his soul, for the psalmist reminded himself: Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God (Psalm 42:9b, 10b, 11b).

“Seeing is believing.” Praise Him for the wonderful works you have seen in your life and in the lives of other believers. “Believing is seeing.” Praise Him, too, for His wonderful work of faith in your heart. Put your hope in Him and praise Him, your Savior and your God.

Walking with my Lord

Lord, let Your wonderful works be my hope and delight
Whether seen in the day or relied on by night.
In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Praise. Author: Patricia Mitchell. 24/32 ©2007 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Forgive as He forgives! Forgiven as I forgive!

In the Word

Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God has forgiven you because you belong to Christ (Ephesians 4:32 LB).

Of the Word

Complete forgiveness is shown to us when God says He will remember our sin no more. It’s not that He’s forgotten our sins, but rather that He chooses not to remember them.

How does your forgiveness compare to God’s forgiveness of you? When someone has wronged you, have you followed Jesus’ example of forgiving and then choosing not to remember it again? It’s not the easiest thing to do, but it is God’s will that we forgive each other as He has forgiven us. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us (Luke 11:4).

Walking with my Lord

Lord, when I need to forgive others help me remember that You have forgiven me and have chosen not to keep remembering my sins. Help me in turn to follow Your example as I forgive others in Your name. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Prayer. Written by 2003–2005 LWML Christian Life Committee. 7/31 ©2005 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked LB are taken from The Living Bible, Copyright © 1971, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60187. All rights reserved.

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Let all that is in me adore Him!

In the Word

Great is the Lord, and most worthy of praise (Psalm 48:1a).

Of the Word

“Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts; Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.”

How easily the words flow from our mouths; how easily we sing the beautiful harmonies of the majestic Old Hundredth; and how easily we take for granted God’s daily care and blessings. God deserves and desires our praise. Selfish attitudes disappear when we selflessly praise Him. I will proclaim the name of the Lord. Oh, praise the greatness of our God! He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he (Deuteronomy 32:3–4).

God smiles when we praise His name! Because of Jesus‘ atoning sacrifice for our sins, Old Testament animal sacrifices are no longer offered. Instead we offer God the “sacrifice of praise.” Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise — the fruit of lips that confess his name (Hebrews 13:15).

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, we praise Your holy name! Help us continually praise You as we live our lives for Your glory! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Prayer. Written by 2003–2005 LWML Christian Life Committee. 5/31 ©2005 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved worldwide.
“Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow” words by Thomas Ken, music by Louis Bourgeois. Public domain.

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Teach me the truth!

In the Word

Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth (Psalm 86:11a).

Of the Word

As students, we labored over homework, tests and term papers. What a relief it was to finish a task, earn a final grade, and walk across the stage to receive a diploma! As Christians, our education is lifelong. No matter what age or stage in life, God has many truths to teach us through His Word. He teaches us how to live under Him and with each other. Love the Lord your God … Love your neighbor … (Matthew 22:37a, 39b). He teaches us of His salvation for all people. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).

As we read, study and share His Word, the Holy Spirit builds us up in the one true faith. Is there a final test? A final grade? Yes! And God Himself gives us the answer: Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved … (Acts 16:31a). Simple statement, simple truth: just believe!

Walking with my Lord

Teach me, Lord, for I have much to learn from You. Thank You for giving Your love to me and to the world through Jesus Christ so that I can be sure of Your final answer, a home in heaven. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Prayer. Written by 2003–2005 LWML Christian Life Committee. 3/31 ©2005 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Pure Praise

In the Word

… judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God (1 Corinthians 4:5).

Of the Word

… judge nothing before the appointed time (1 Corinthians 4:5a). Paul’s instruction to Corinthian believers gave them a practical way to maintain a strong and healthy relationship with their pastor. His advice applies equally well to relationships among all God’s people.

Our Lord, the ultimate judge of all words and actions, has inside information. Inside the heart, that is. He sees the motivation behind words and actions. We cannot, so we judge by appearances. In judging, He uses the right measurement — His Word — while we let opinions, preferences, and feelings determine how we view the behavior of ourselves and others. In addition, God judges with His eyes on eternity. We judge focused on today’s circumstances and the insight of current thinking.

At the appointed time God will judge. Let Him find His people attentive to His will and His Word, examining themselves by the light of Scripture. Let Him find us mindful of our motives as we praise Him and serve each other. At the appointed time let Him find us faithful.

Walking with my Lord

Grant me the gift of purity of heart and soul and mind;
Then when You come in triumph, Lord, a faithful servant find.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Praise. Author: Patricia Mitchell. 22/32 ©2007 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Eternal Praise

In the Word

Then a voice came from the throne, saying: “Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, both small and great!” (Revelation 19:5).

Of the Word

Earthly thinking goes like this:
Big Shot Tom: “I’m on a tight schedule and I must delegate things. My wife and kids do the church-going for the family.”
Humble Hannah: “I don’t have the voice to sing or the education to teach. I let the choir and pastor do that.”

Heavenly thinking goes like this:
God: “Both of you are My servants. And all My servants praise Me.”

Our earthly praise acts as a prelude to the heavenly chorus. As servants of God, we echo the angels and saints when our thoughts, words, and actions work to His glory and praise. Faithful church attendance focuses our praise on God and all He has done for us through Jesus. Daily acts of service share our praise with others. Witnessing through word and work identifies us as servants of the Most High God.

Whether you’re Big Shot Tom or Humble Hannah — or somewhere in between — God calls you “servant.” In what ways do you plan to “sing” your praises today?

Walking with my Lord

I am a servant of the Lord, so let me find the ways
He’s called me to acknowledge Him in everlasting praise!
In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Praise. Author: Patricia Mitchell. 20/32 ©2007 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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