As someone who has served in prayer ministry, most of the prayers I hear are requests and needs. If I don't guard my tender heart with intentional worship and thanksgiving, I can quickly become weary and my tender heart can grow callous. Ministry leaders (ordained and lay) often hear complaints and comments about how the ministry could be better, in addition to the prayer requests, and too often are witness to a "repentance" that looks like a revolving door rather than a 180 turn. I will tell you that sometimes all we want, and what we desperately need is to shut out the complaints, suggestions, and yes (sorry if I offend anyone when I say this) even set aside the needs of the people for awhile and JUST WORSHIP GOD. It is the JOY of the LORD that is our strength.
Biblically founded spirit filled leaders and intercessors learn (have learned and are continually learning) to do as King David did. To take all these things and place them in the all mighty, faithful, all knowing, sovereign good hands of God who is actively working all things to good (that eternal best of the best kind of good). To pour out their hearts to God including all the emotion associated with all the needs, tasks, battles that present everyday. To be very intentional about having eyes that see the good works of God every hour of every day, and take/make time to continuously pour out to God the sacrifice of praise, the fruit of our lips that honors Him. Like King David to offer more praise, more worship, and more thanksgiving than "complaint" for when we lay our needs before God we are assured that He hears and answers us in a ways that have the eternal best in sight. We trust in Him. He is our refuge and strength, our salvation and hope. The JOY rises and is our strength.
Here is the thing, though. EVERY Christ follower needs to learn to pray and praise like King David. Our God is worthy of it, and it is in praising that we draw close to God and find that His Strength, His Grace, His Power is abundant and more than enough.
My soul, wait in silence for God only,
For my hope is from Him.
He only is my rock and my salvation,
My stronghold; I shall not be shaken.
On God my salvation and my glory rest;
The rock of my strength, my refuge is in God.
Trust in Him at all times, O people;
Pour out your heart before Him;
God is a refuge for us. Selah.
Psalm 62:5-8
Yes, let us all pray like King David; pouring out honest raw (often desperate) needs and heart cries to God; and let our praise, worship, and thanksgiving outnumber our supplications. Let us all remind ourselves and others of the many many good things God has done, is doing and will do. Greeting eachother by "speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father" (Eph 519-21)
I ask you as I ask myself What things are YOU praising, thanking, or worshiping God for today?
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