8 reasons to praise God today

If you’re having a bad day, week, month or year it may feel as though all of your energy is being spent on survival, with little or nothing left over for praise. But seeing as praise changes our hearts and gives glory to God we should make it a priority. We’ve come up with eight good reasons to praise him just to get you started.  

1. He hears our prayers. 1 John 5:14 says: “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us” and 1 Peter 3:12 says: “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer…”
2. He comforts us when we’re going through tough times. Psalm 30:11 says: “You have turned my mourning into dancing for me; You have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy” and 2 Corinthians 1:3 says: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”
3. He is a God of grace and compassion. Psalm 103:13 says: “Just as a father has compassion on his children, So the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him” and Psalm 145:8 says: “The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.”
4. He love us with a perfect love. Romans 5:8 says: “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” and John 3:16 says: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
5. He forgives us of all our sins… even the really horrible ones. Psalm 103:12 says: “As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us” and 1 John 1:9 says: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
6. He will never leave us. Deuteronomy 31:8 says: “It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed” and Matthew 28:20 says: “…And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
7. He gives us his amazing peace. Philippians 4:6-7 says: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” and John 14:27 says: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
8. He is always faithful. Deuteronomy 7:9 says: “Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God  who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations” and 2 Timothy 2:13 says: “If we are faithless, he remains faithful, for He cannot deny himself.”

Thank you, God, that you are a good, good Father, and that your mercy endures forever. Most of all, thank you for sending Jesus, who shed his precious blood on the cross that we might live in relationship with you forever. Amen.