How to Praise God (Christianity)

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As a Christian, you likely feel a sense of awe when you think about the power and greatness of God. Expressing those feelings is known as praise. You can praise God directly by praying to Him. However, you can also praise God in a number of other ways, including through music and art, during group worship, or by telling others about His glory. Praise can be given anywhere and at any time. [1] As long as it comes from your heart, there’s no wrong way to praise God!

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Praising God through Prayer

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  1. In the Bible, Jesus gives Christians a model prayer that you can use no matter what you’re praying about. His prayer begins by addressing God directly. Although God will know you’re talking to Him even if you don’t specifically say it, opening the prayer this way can help get you in the right mindset as you pray. [2]
    • For instance, you might start with, “Heavenly Father,” “Dear God,” or simply, “Lord.”
  2. One of the simplest things you can praise God for is simply for the fact that He is good and that He is the ruler of the world. In Psalm 96:4, the Bible says, “For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods.” This verse doesn’t mean that you have to be afraid of God—it means that He is greater than any other gods, or anything that men might worship as a god. [3]
    • In your prayer, you might say, “Lord, it is amazing that you are so powerful that you created the heavens and the earth, yet you still care about someone as small as me!”
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  3. [4] If you’re grateful for God’s blessings in your life, use your prayer of praise to let him know! Think about the things in your life that are meaningful, or thank Him for a turn of good fortune you had recently, like being promoted at work or making a new friend. [5]
    • For example, you could say, “I’m constantly amazed at the way You work in my life and the way I feel Your presence as I serve others. Thank you for the opportunities You have given me to make a living doing what I love!”
  4. You don’t have to be surrounded by blessings to praise God. Even at your lowest times, you can still praise Him for giving you life, for instance, or for sending Jesus to die for your sins, then raising him from the dead. [6] This type of praise can help remind you of God’s greatness, which can give you strength when you’re feeling low. [7]
    • You could say, for instance, “Lord, even though I’m in a season of loss, You continue to guide me. Thank you for giving me breath each day, and help me continue to look ahead to a brighter time.”
    • 2 Chronicles 20:21 describes a time when the Israelites were facing certain death in a battle against a much larger army. However, as they marched, they kept praising God by saying, “Give thanks to the Lord, for his steadfast love endures forever.” The story continues that God blessed them with victory because of their faith, and there’s no reason He can’t do the same when you’re facing struggles in your life.
  5. As you conclude your prayer, you might want to include a request to God that He will continue to show you His presence and love. [8] This will show Him that you’re grateful for what you have, and that you attribute your blessings to Him. [9]
    • This could be as simple as saying, “Lord, continue to bless me each day according to Your wisdom.”
    • When you’re finished, close the prayer by saying something like, “In Jesus’ name, Amen.” [10]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Finding Other Ways to Praise God

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  1. Whether you’re attending a worship service or you’re worshiping God in the privacy of your own home, one way you can praise God is by lifting up your hands to Him. This act symbolizes that you’re reaching toward the Heavenly Father and lifting up your spirit toward Him. [11]
    • This act is described in the Bible in Psalm 134:1-2: “Praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord who minister by night in the house of the Lord. Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord.”
    • Clapping your hands can be a form of praise, as well, especially during a worship song. [12]
  2. The Bible is full of examples of people using music to praise God. Psalm 40:3, for instance, says: “He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.” This verse indicates that not only is music a beautiful way to praise God, but that He has actually gifted us with music for this reason. [13]
    • Even musical instruments can be used to praise God, as described in 2 Chronicles 5:13-14: “The trumpeters and singers join in unison, as with one voice, to praise and give thanks to the Lord. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and other instruments, they raised their voices in praise to the Lord and sang, 'He is good, his love endures forever.'”
  3. If you don’t consider yourself a musical person, think about another gift God has given you. For instance, you may be a gifted writer, painter, or actor. Whatever talents you have, you can use those to praise God. [14]
    • For instance, if you enjoy art, you could paint a picture of your favorite scenic view. As you paint, meditate on the fact that God created a world full of such natural beauty.
    • If you’re a writer, you could pen a poem that praises God.
    • If God blessed you with the gift of acting, consider writing or participating in a dramatic skit that praises Him.
  4. If you need a little help getting into the right mindset to praise God, look through your Bible to find examples of His followers praising Him. As you read all the ways that they exalted God, you might feel moved to praise Him, as well!
    • The book of Psalms is a great place to study praise. For instance, Psalm 34:1 says: “I will praise the Lord no matter what happens.”
  5. Praise God by sharing His goodness with others. If you feel God’s presence in your life, you may feel called to tell other people about His love and the way He’s blessed you. [15] Evangelism, or sharing your faith with others, can be a powerful form of praise, because it shows God that you appreciate Him so much that you can’t help but tell others about Him. [16]
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How often should you praise God?
    Zachary Rainey
    Ordained Minister
    Rev. Zachary B. Rainey is an ordained minister with over 40 years of ministry and pastoral practice, including over 10 years as a hospice chaplain. He is a graduate of Northpoint Bible College and a member of the General Council of the Assemblies of God.
    Zachary Rainey
    Ordained Minister
    Expert Answer
    Prayer is talking to God, and a conversation with God never ends. A Christian should “pray without ceasing.” You should begin your day with focused prayer, continue to pray in your heart as you perform your activities of the day, take breaks throughout the day to speak directly to God in prayer, and retire to bed with another time of prayer
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  • Question
    How will one be awaer that his prayer has been answered by God?
    Community Answer
    Sometimes you won't know until it happens. If you pray for someone to get over their sickness, and their sickness leaves, then the prayer is answered. If you pray for someone to get over their sickness, but they die from it, then it has been answered, but not in the way you want it to.
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  • Question
    How does God inhabit the praises of His people?
    Community Answer
    When people send up praise outspoken and silent together, then God personally through his Presence and Power and Self resides, descends with them and moves among them. His Presence is felt and usually more Outspoken Praise is lifted up as He moves and inhabits their bodies, minds and aligns their souls with His Presence.
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      References

      1. ↑ Zachary Rainey. Ordained Minister. Expert Interview. 19 May 2019.
      2. ↑ https://www.allaboutprayer.org/how-to-pray-to-god-faq.htm
      3. ↑ https://www.gotquestions.org/praise-God.html
      4. ↑ Zachary Rainey. Ordained Minister. Expert Interview. 19 May 2019.
      5. ↑ https://www.allaboutgod.com/praising-god.htm
      6. ↑ Zachary Rainey. Ordained Minister. Expert Interview. 19 May 2019.
      7. ↑ https://www.allaboutgod.com/praising-god.htm
      8. ↑ Zachary Rainey. Ordained Minister. Expert Interview. 19 May 2019.
      9. ↑ https://www.allaboutprayer.org/how-to-pray-to-god-faq.htm
      1. ↑ https://www.allaboutprayer.org/how-to-pray-to-god-faq.htm
      2. ↑ https://www.allaboutgod.com/praising-god.htm
      3. ↑ https://www.allaboutprayer.org/how-to-praise-and-worship-god-faq.htm
      4. ↑ https://www.allaboutgod.com/praising-god.htm
      5. ↑ https://www.allaboutprayer.org/how-to-praise-and-worship-god-faq.htm
      6. ↑ Zachary Rainey. Ordained Minister. Expert Interview. 19 May 2019.
      7. ↑ https://www.allaboutprayer.org/how-to-praise-and-worship-god-faq.htm
      8. ↑ Lia Huynh, LMFT. Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist. Expert Interview. 5 May 2022.
      9. ↑ https://fervr.net/teen-life/friends-of-other-faiths
      10. ↑ Lia Huynh, LMFT. Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist. Expert Interview. 5 May 2022.
      11. ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/relationships-communication/making-good-friends.htm
      12. ↑ Lia Huynh, LMFT. Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist. Expert Interview. 5 May 2022.

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To praise God, start by reflecting on Jesus’ life and the sacrifices He made for you. If you’re feeling angry or bitter, pray that God help you work through your emotions and that you feel peace and joy in His presence instead. Let the awareness of all the blessings you’re grateful for sink in, and thank Him for the creation he’s made, from the sun and moon to the tiny flowers in your garden. Don’t be afraid or self-conscious about expressing your deep love for Him, if that’s really how you feel, or about being honest about events or emotions you may be struggling with. You can even listen to some Christian music or make a prayer journal to feel regularly close to God more often. For more ways to approach praising God, scroll down!

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