Praise the LORD, you angels in heaven. Praise the LORD for his glory and strength. Praise the LORD for the glory that belongs to him. Worship the LORD because of his beauty and holiness.
Psalm 29:1-2 (NIrV)
Father God, I pause this morning to worship You. Many of my prayers are filled with wants and desires, petitions laid before Your throne. I am a needy person, for certain. I recognize that I am not able to care for myself completely. Yes, there is an outward appearance that I have things under control. But in reality, I am holding on for dear life. Hence, the reason why my prayer life so often feels like a request line.
Yet, this morning my mind is focused on other things. Not my needs and wants. Not my desires and ambitions. No. Today my soul asks the question, “What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me (Psalm 116:12)?” What do I give a God Whose love has not only saved me but brought me into His fold, called me one of His own, and has blessed me with every spiritual blessing? What can I give to You that You have not already given to me a hundredfold? In a world filled with trouble and strife, with households and nations at odds, where leaders love self more than others, how can I be at peace when there is so much turmoil around me? It is because of You. I have You in my life. And You are whispering in my spirit it will all be alright.
So, my King, I come before You this morning, though a flood be around me, I pause to worship You and praise You for all You have done for me. In the middle of this work week I am reminded that You are still on the throne, that You are supplying me with all I stand in the need of to make it through, and that in Your presence I shall always have peace. I give You thanks for meeting me right where I am everyday, navigating me through the challenges before me, and giving me what I have needed in the moment. I thank You for raising up around me individuals who love me for me, who help me and hold me up, folks whose life and person are covered with Your fingerprints. I thank You for using me to touch the lives of others, helping me to be more than I am in the moment to be more to them than they could ever imagine. And this not by my might or effort but instead by Your graciousness towards me and through me.
Father, I just want to thank You for loving me in spite of me, despite what I have done. Thank You for giving me what I could not give myself and being for me what I could not be for myself. Thank You for making me Your own! I praise You, for You are indeed great! Amen!