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“P” is for Praise
Most folks your age love to receive praise.
Aced a test? Awesome!
Scored the winning goal? Good work!
Side-stepped the girl drama instead of getting caught up in it? Phenomenal!
You know who else likes to receive praise? (In fact, He deserves it a whole lot more than any of us do.) God.
The absolute very first thing you should do when you go to the Lord in prayer is give Him the praise He’s due. That’s the very premise behind the opening line of the Lord’s Prayer that Jesus taught His disciples in Matthew 6:9. (Remember that whole “hallowed be thy name” part? That’s praise!)
Remember, your Heavenly Father is just that: a FATHER who provides for your every need. (Notice I didn’t say “your every want.” God’s not a genie. Just like any good parent, He understands that what you want and what you need are not always the same thing.) And just like your parents, God could do with a little appreciation!
Why? Well, consider all you have to be grateful for. Do you have food in your belly? Praise God! A roof over your head and a warm bed to sleep in? Amen! Someone else paying this phone bill? Hallelujah! You get the picture? Those aren’t just mom and dad gratitude things; even these oft-overlooked blessings are God things. (After all, who do you think equipped your parents to provide all that?)
And those are just the tip of the iceberg! Understanding just how much there is to praise God for is something that will come with time – and maturity. Until then, read Psalm 145 to get a better idea of just how praise-worthy your Lord and Savior truly is.
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About this Plan
In Ephesians 6:18, Paul teaches us to “pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion,” to “stay alert and be persistent in [our] prayers for all believers everywhere.” But praying can be tough, especially if you aren’t being intentional about it – setting aside the time to do it, and to do it right. This four-day devotional is designed to help Christian youth, just like you, get in the habit of regular, meaningful prayer.
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