Pray These Psalms when You Want to Pause and Praise

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I tend to think of praise and worship as synonyms … which can too often mean that I hear the sounds of music when I imagine doing either one.

But…

Praise is simply defined as:

• an expression of warm approval or admiration.

Worship is defined as:

• the feeling or expression of reverence and adoration for God.

It’s funny! Neither definition includes music. It just shows how accustomed you and I can become to our traditions and habits.

And goodness, music has been a habit for me.

I started taking piano lessons in 2nd grade and organ lessons in junior high. I was playing the organ for parts of church services before I reached high school and playing full time shortly after I started driving. And that doesn’t include singing with any choir or worship team that would have me.

Based on my experience, praise and worship included music.

But lately, I’ve been thinking about praising God with nothing but my attitude and my words. I’ve considered the blessing of stopping throughout the day with humble awe and wonder to tell Him how much I love Him and thank Him for all He does for me.

Don’t get me wrong … I love a great worship song. But I don’t always want to depend on someone else’s notes and lyrics to communicate my praises to my Heavenly Father.

I want my words of adoration to overflow from a heart full of praise. I want to be so full of love and gratitude that I just can’t help but tell the Lord about it all day long.

Now I’ll admit, it’s not always easy. Sometimes in the middle of the mess, praise is not what comes to mind. I can even catch myself sounding like those grumbling wilderness wanderers.

Praise God, He’s promised the Holy Spirit to those who love Him. And I believe with the Spirit’s help … I can be blessed with all I need to pause and praise God without ceasing.

Paul wrote…

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

I want that! So today, I’m going to the Father. I’m asking Him to fill me with His Spirit and help me look away from the mess, and humbly come before Him. I’m asking Him to help me pause and praise ceaselessly!

I’d love for you to join me…

Psalms to Pray When You Want to Pause and Praise

Come, let us worship and bow down.
Let us kneel before the Lord our maker,
    for He is our God.
We are the people He watches over,
    the flock under His care.

Psalm 95:6–7

Father, I come before You today with humble praise. Every single person in Scripture who experienced the beauty of Your glory … fell on the ground before You. I can’t imagine what that day will be like when I see You face to face. Just the thought, flattens me! Yet, in Your loving care, Your Word says You watch over me. You know how many hairs there are on my head. (Matthew 10:30) You know my thoughts. (Psalm 139:23) And You know my past experiences, my present circumstances, and everything that is planned for my future.

You are so good and gracious. Please, by the power of Your Spirit, help me focus on who You are and all the glorious things You have done that I might pause and praise You with every part of who I am.

Acknowledge that the Lord is God!
    He made us, and we are His.
    We are His people, the sheep of His pasture.
Enter His gates with thanksgiving;
    go into His courts with praise.
    Give thanks to Him and praise His name.
For the Lord is good.
    His unfailing love continues forever,
    and His faithfulness continues to each generation.

Psalm 100

Lord, You are my God. My Creator. My Savior. My Comforter and Friend. You have called me by Your Spirit and made me Your own.

I come to You with a heart full of praise. I lift my life to You. I surrender to Your grace and mercy with an outpouring of gratitude. Your unfailing love and faithfulness overwhelm me. I fail again and again and yet, Your love surrounds me. Because You are good … it is well with my soul.

May I boldly share Your love and publicly praise You for who You are. May I enthusiastically speak of the wonderful things You’ve done … that everyone I meet might want to know the One who has the power to renew, restore, and redeem.

Give to the Lord the glory He deserves!
    Bring your offering and come into His courts.
Worship the Lord in all His holy splendor.
    Let all the earth tremble before Him.
Tell all the nations, “The Lord reigns!”
    The world stands firm and cannot be shaken.
    He will judge all peoples fairly.

Psalm 96:8–10

Father, turn my heart and mind away from the junk. Help me surrender my flaws and failures to You in repentance. Help me lay down my mess and look up to You.

You are sovereign over nations and kingdoms. You control the winds and the waves. Nothing happens that You do not allow and all that You allow, You use to accomplish Your plans and purposes. Plans that are for our good and purposes that lead to a future filled with hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)

There are countless reasons to pause and praise every moment of every day. May I, by Your grace, humbly live in ways that bring You glory.

I will praise the Lord at all times.
    I will constantly speak His praises.
I will boast only in the Lord;
    let all who are helpless take heart.
Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness;
    let us exalt His name together.

Psalm 34:1–3

Father, please, by the power of Your Spirit, fill my heart with an endless flow of praise. When I think of all You have done for me.

Not only have You filled my life with hope and promise for the future, You have changed everything now. You have given me freedom from fear. You have healed my broken heart. You hear my prayer. You give me strength and courage to face each day.

Too often, the world shouts and I can so easily get distracted by the problems that surround me … but You are always with me giving me everything I need.

So, by Your grace and with Your help, I will publicly praise You. I will honor and exalt You that all who are helpless and losing hope will want to know the One who has the power to give them everything they need.

Let all that I am praise the Lord;
    with my whole heart, I will praise His holy name.
Let all that I am praise the Lord;
    may I never forget the good things He does for me.
He forgives all my sins
and heals all my diseases.
He redeems me from death
and crowns me with love and tender mercies.
He fills my life with good things.

Psalm 103:1–5a

Father, as I prayerfully read these words of David, there is only one thing to say … “Let all that I am praise the Lord! AMEN!”

Friend, as I wrote these prayers I kept thinking about how often I allow myself to get distracted by things that are unpleasant and agravating.

Paul wrote the following words to the Philippians:

Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.

Philippians 4:8 (MSG)

That does sum it up, doesn’t it?

Fill your mind with things that are true, real, inspiring, and full of grace.

The NLT says it this way…

Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

Philippians 4:8 (NLT)

And if I’m thinking about things that are worship of praise … I’m much more likely to look to the One who makes it all possible. I’m more likely to stop for a moment to pause and praise.

I’m starting now … with this!

The Lord lives! Praise to my Rock!
    May the God of my salvation be exalted!

Psalm 18:46

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