A Life of Prayer, Praise, and Worship by Dr. Godfrey “Doctor Perspective” McAllister
Theme Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 – “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
- Introduction: Communion with God
- Prayer, praise, and worship are not just actions but a lifestyle and a mindset of a Believer.
- Communion with God involves both speaking and listening (John 10:27 – “My sheep hear my voice…”).
- Difference between Prayer, Praise, and Worship:
Prayer – Communicating with God (asking, listening, interceding).
Praise – Expressing gratitude for what God has done.
Worship – Surrendering to God in reverence for who He is.
II. Relative Value Analysis of Prayer and Praise
- The Nature of Prayer – Prayer is intuitive
- Humans are always in need, so they naturally ask (Philippians 4:6 – “By prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God”).
- Like children asking parents, Believers instinctively call on God when in need (Matthew 7:7 – “Ask, and it will be given to you”).
- However, prayer is not:
Informing God (Matthew 6:8 – “Your Father knows what you need before you ask”).
God’s arm or forcing His will (1 John 5:14 – “If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us”).
A self-centered activity – effective prayer often requires the Holy Spirit’s help (Romans 8:26 – “We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us…”).
B. The Nature of Praise – Praise is not intuitive PLUS (C). The Unique Role of Praise and Worship
- The Nature of Praise – Praise is not intuitive
- Unlike prayer, praise must be taught (Psalm 103:1-2 – “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits”).
- Children must be trained to say “thank you”; likewise, Believers must be conditioned to “give thanks in everything” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
- Praise is a sacrifice that is not always natural (Hebrews 13:15 – “Let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise”).
- The Unique Role of Praise and Worship
- God requires both prayer and praise (Psalm 50:14-15 – “Offer to God thanksgiving… Call upon Me in the day of trouble”).
- Prayer is for us (we receive from God), but praise is for Him (we give to God).
- Praise is uniquely human – Nowhere in Scripture does it say God praises Himself or worships Himself (Psalm 22:3 – “God inhabits the praises of His people”).
- Praise and worship give us the chance to “offer” something to God – an act of love, devotion, and recognition of His greatness.
III. The Relationship Between Prayer and Praise
- Praise enhances prayer (2 Chronicles 20:21-22 – Jehoshaphat’s army won through praise before the battle).
- The Bible does not teach that prayer enhances praise, but it does teach that praise enhances prayer (Acts 16:25-26 – Paul and Silas praised, and the prison doors opened).
- When we focus on praising God, it shifts our mindset from problems to faith, making our prayers more powerful.
IV. Conclusion: A Lifestyle of Prayer, Praise, and Worship
- Believers must cultivate all three as part of daily life.
- Prayer brings us into God’s presence, praise acknowledges His power, and worship surrenders our will to His.
- Let us strive to be like David, who lived a life of prayer (Psalm 5:3), praise (Psalm 34:1), and worship (Psalm 27:4).
The word “worship” in the Bible carries deep meaning both literally and contextually, particularly in the relationship between the Believer in Jesus Christ and God.
1. Literal Meaning of Worship – Old Testament
- Old Testament (Hebrew: שָׁחָה – shachah)
- Primary Meaning: To bow down, prostrate oneself, or show reverence.
- Used for: Expressing honor and submission, often before a superior (whether God or a king).
- Example:
Psalm 95:6 – “Come, let us bow down in worship (shachah), let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.”
Genesis 22:5 – Abraham says, “Stay here with the donkey; the boy and I will go over there and worship (shachah) and then return to you.”
1. Literal Meaning of Worship – New Testament
- New Testament (Greek: προσκυνέω – proskuneó)
- Primary Meaning: To fall down before, to kiss the hand (as a gesture of profound reverence).
- Used for: Acknowledging divine authority and submitting to God’s supremacy.
- Example:
John 4:24 – “God is spirit, and those who worship (proskuneó) Him must worship in spirit and in truth.”
Matthew 2:2 – The Magi said, “We have come to worship (proskuneó) Him.”
2. Contextual Meaning of Worship for the Believer in Jesus Christ
While prayer and praise involve communication and gratitude, worship is deeper:
- Worship is surrender – It is not just singing or bowing but a complete yielding of one’s life to God (Romans 12:1 – “Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship”).
- Worship is internal before external – Jesus corrected the Pharisees, saying worship is about the heart, not just outward rituals (Mark 7:6 – “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me”).
- Worship requires the right attitude – Jesus said worship must be in spirit and truth (John 4:23-24), meaning it must be genuine (spirit) and based on God’s truth, not mere traditions.
3. How Worship Differs from Praise
Conclusion
- Worship is not just an act but a way of life – it includes obedience, love, and submission to God.
- A Believer in Jesus Christ does not worship only in church but in every decision and act of faith they live out daily.
- While praise can be momentary, worship is continual – it is a lifestyle of honoring God.
Whereas God requires both prayer and praise from His children, prayer is more intuitive and natural than is praise. For this reason, we need to train ourselves to praise and worship, especially when we do not feel good about our prevailing circumstances.
On the other hand, worship and the need to worship is ingrained in our Spiritual worship. The warning is to ensure that we worship God and God alone.
