Photo taken in Colorado.

Author: Elton Streyle, Contributor: Noah, Photography and Editing: Ali

Heavenly Father, thank you for the many verses of Scripture in the Bible that encourage me to praise You, not for Your good, but for mine. I was created to praise You. “This people I have formed for Myself; they shall declare My praise” Isaiah 43:21.

Give me a correct perspective of thanksgiving and praise. Let me not get so caught up in thanksgiving for all the amazing things You have done and are doing for me that I neglect to praise You for who You are (the Creator, the Almighty, all-knowing, ever-present, merciful, loving, and unchanging God).

Forgive me for the times when I live my life in a spiritually powerless way; when I plead for victory in Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit as though You were far away instead of living in the confidence that Your Holy Spirit is dwelling within me, waiting to come alongside me.

Remind me often that You are my sufficiency every moment of every day. Jesus said: “…I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst” John 6:35.

Father, direct me in such a way that Hebrews 13:15 will continually be a reality in my life. “Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.” Lord, I am grateful for the delight and privilege of praising You.

I bring these thoughts in Jesus’ Name, Amen.