Praise instead of pray - Friday Praise & Pray (for others) January 28, 2022

Far too often we spend time praying when in fact, we should devote more time to thanking the Lord. Jesus made this clear when He performed the miracles of feeding a group of 5000 men in Matthew 14:19 - And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.

Then again, when He fed 4000 men in Matthew 15:36 - Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people.

He could have petitioned God in prayer for a miracle to feed all these men and the countless women and children who were surely around as well. Instead, He chose to honor the Lord with thanksgiving, trusting that God would perform a miracle through Him and thereby be exalted.

Also consider when He raised Lazarus from the dead as well. His 'prayer' started with “Father, I thank you that you have heard me (John 11:41).

Today, as we gather to fellowship, let us focus on praising the Lord. Let us give Him thanks just as Jesus did and watch His miracles come to pass in our lives as well as those of our prayer subjects. May the Lord help us to emulate Jesus and give Him His well-deserved praise, IJMN, Amen.

Can you share at least one thing you're grateful to God for? Can you do more than one? Can you share them as an expression of thanks? I can't wait to read what you are praising God for today. Please come ready for Praise & Pray (for others) at 12 Noon, armed with what you want to tell God thank You for. I'm getting my list ready! See you then!