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This week, the Soul of Worship Ministry is collaborating with FaithGateway, on The Gratitude Project.
In the reel above, I was asked to share my own experience with how gratitude changes everything in prayer and worship.
Yet, there's only so much time Instagram allows you for a reel, so let's go a little deeper on this question:
Psalm 95:2 says:
“Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.”
Sometimes we feel like God’s presence is so far away or unattainable but in fact God reveals the key in His Word for how to enter into His presence. The key is found in our thanksgiving, the sacrifice of our joyful praise.
I heard someone say recently, “If you have 10 minutes to pray, spend the first 8 minutes in praise and worship.” I love this statement because we know that God inhabits the praises of His people (Psalm 22:3).
When I choose to start my prayer time with worship, I am enthroning God right where I am and His presence is now available to me! So the reality is that those 2 minutes of prayer after a time of grateful praise, will be more effective because I’ve asked those requests in the presence of God!
So here’s the kingdom key: Gratitude is the gateway into His presence.
If we want to encounter God, we must begin with thanksgiving. It’s the key that unlocks His glory!
Read all of Psalm 95 & Psalm 100 and you’ll find that the words of these songs command us to “come” - we are to accept God's invitation & command to enter His courts with praise.
These psalms and many others say to sing, shout, worship (prostrate), bow, kneel, praise, and offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving!
While yes, we are to enter the presence of God humbly, but these descriptions tell me we should also come to the LORD boldly, with exuberant and abundant praise!
There are so many reasons! Again looking at Psalm 95 & 100, the psalmist list several reasons: because God is good, the Rock of our salvation, Great, King, Creator, Maker, Shepherd, merciful, & because His truth endures forever!
So I challenge you to spend more time in gratitude today than you do in petitioning with the LORD.
As it says in The Weekly Gratitude Project, “You may be stuck in difficult circumstances. The rough road you’re walking may stretch for unknown miles. But gratitude can renew your mind (Romans 12:2) and transform the way you see your circumstances.” (Page 3)
Trust me when I say, a transformed mind and vision will transform your daily worship and prayer life.
[Image courtesy of faithgateway.com]
If you are ready to start a project that will grow a grateful heart, The Weekly Gratitude Project is a 52-week guided gratitude journal that offers a life-changing journey through reflection prompts and inviting questions to guide you into a deeper relationship with God.
This yearly gratitude journal features beautifully illustrated journaling pages that will help you discover more intimacy and joy in your spiritual life.
[Image courtesy of faithgateway.com]
You can purchase The Weekly Gratitude Project today at FaithGateway.com.
Remember, gratitude is the bridge between our Creator and us. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to grow closer to God through gratefulness. Purchase your copy now and start transforming your worship experience.
With a grateful heart,
Sara-Marie
Founder, Soul of Worship Ministry
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In this free Worship & Praise Bible study bundle, you'll receive a beautifully designed 9 page PDF that outlines three incredibly powerful worship concepts: Use Your Voice as a Trumpet Sound, Lift Up Your Hands in Victory, and the Sacrifice of Thanksgiving.
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