Don't Stop Praying - a Three-Day Reading Plan With Matthew WestSample

DAY THREE: Remember to Praise

Don’t stop praying for the prodigal

Don’t stop praying for the miracle

Hallelujah, hallelujah and amen

Don’t stop praying that addictions end

Don’t stop praying for deliverance

Hallelujah, hallelujah and amen

Don’t stop praying for the sickness healed

Don’t stop praying for His power revealed

Hallelujah, hallelujah and amen

Don’t stop praying for the kingdom come

Don’t stop praying that his will be done

Hallelujah, hallelujah and amen

If I was asked to sit down and write out my prayer for today, I wonder if it would be a huge list of needs and requests followed by a brief “thank you.”What would your written prayer look like today? Would you take the opportunity to “submit” all your requests? Would you maybe give God some instructions so He would know how to work out specific situations? I’ve done that before, as if He needs my suggestions! But, if our prayers are only filled with requests, we are really missing a vital part of prayer.

That missing part is expressing our gratitude and praise. No matter what we are facing, there is always something to be thankful for. There is always Someone to be thankful for! Prayer is an opportunity to praise God for who He is and for all that He has done for us.

When we focus only on our needs, we can become defeated. When we focus on praising God, we are filled with hope. We can praise Him even if our circumstances have not changed. We can praise Him even in our darkest night. We can praise Him on our best days and on our most challenging days because God is good. When we praise God, He draws near to us. Psalm 22:3 says, “God inhabits the praises of His people.”The Hebrew word for “inhabits” means to dwell or live within.

So, even if the bills are piling up, you’re waiting for the doctor to call, or you’re struggling in your marriage, you have reason to praise the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 reminds us to “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Don’t stop praying! Don’t stop praising God! Hope is here, and God is working all things together for our good. Instead of writing your prayer today, why not take a moment and write down all the things you are thankful for? He alone is worthy of our praise!