Praise in Prayer, Part 4, The Sufficiency of Praise

My grace is sufficient for you…

2 Corinthians 12:9

One of the false teachings about prayer that has surfaced in the last few decades is that praise alone is all the praying that we need to do. That to praise God is enough. This idea ignores clear Scriptural teaching that plainly urges us to bring to God our requests, and not just our praise. Christ said, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you” (John 15:7). He did not say, “Praise and it will be given you.” Christ specifically said, “Ask,” and the word in Greek means to ask a favor of someone of a greater position. So we come to Him who has all power as weak and needy, and we make our requests.

Praise deepens our experience: Like many false teachings, this idea above does build on some truth, that God is sufficient for us even before we make our requests. Praise that is truly inspired of the Spirit and Word of God helps us to understand this. Often in deep praise of the Lord, we forget our requests and know that it was enough just to be in His presence. Praising God for His love and holiness may lead us to become so excited about what we now see in Him, that our requests seem insignificant. The verse above from 2 Corinthians is from Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” experience, where he prayed three times for God to remove this physical burden. God chose not to, so that Paul might depend more on God’s grace.

Whenever you feel a great material or physical need, praise God sincerely and truly, and let the Lord open your idea to what you already have in Him. It may be that you will forget your request altogether and simply rejoice in Him. Praise has this effect on us, to help us to see what a treasure we have in Him. Of course, this idea was included in Jesus’ statements in John 15:7 quoted above about us remaining in Him, and allowing His words to remain in us, for this is simply another perspective of praise — to focus on Christ and on His love and on His teachings.

Praise purifies our requests: But often we still see our need after praise and we still bring our requests to Him. But true praise will purify these requests, taking out the selfish, ambitious, or fearful element in them. True praise brings our hearts into alignment with the will of God and the means by which God accomplishes His will. Those who praise deeply and truly grow in patience, wisdom, and commitment. They do not look desperately for random “signs” that they hope are from God, rather they trust the Lord and seek His will in their prayers.

Praise means that we know God and are growing in the knowledge about God. Daniel 11:32 says, “The people who know their God will display strength and take action.” 1 Peter 1:2 says, “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.” The more truth about God that we truly know in our hearts, the greater our peace, confidence, strength, and wisdom.

People who praise deeply pray deeply as well.