What is The Prayer of Worship and Praise?

"Give unto the LORD the glory [due] unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness." _{1 Chronicles 16:29}

The dictionary definition of worship is:

a. The reverent love and devotion accorded a deity, an idol, or a sacred object.b. The ceremonies, prayers, or other religious forms by which this love is expressed.2. ardent devotion; adoration.

Worship talks about WHO or WHAT a person or deity is, their attributes and their qualities. It is an acknowledgement of the "greatness" of a person or deity.

Cambridge Online Dictionary defines praise as:

⁽¹⁾to express admiration or approval about the achievements or characteristics of a person or thing: ⁽²⁾to honour, worship, and express admiration for a god: ⁽³⁾ things that you say that express your admiration and approval for someone or something:

In contrast to worship, praise talks about the things a person or deity HAS DONE.

God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth._{John 4:24}

The reason we worship is because we are designed to worship. It is spiritual, but it is demonstrated through our natural beings. The need to worship is in our DNA. Human beings were created to worship, and, this being our reality, we automatically seek out something, or someone, to worship.

By definition, worship expresses love, and ardent devotion, and/or adoration. We worship God because, God is worthy of worship. God is worthy of worship by virtue of the fact that He created us, redeemed us, and continually gives us life.

I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.² My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.³ O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.⁴ I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. _{Psalm 34:1-4}

The Bible speaks of many reasons to offer praise to God. Outside of the fact that He is worthy to receive praise, the action of praise is an action that shows gratitude. Most of us, (human beings), were taught to say "Thank you," when we received a gift. It was thought rude if someone gave you something, or helped you in some way, and, you didn't thank them.

Well, the same concept applies with giving God praise. Just stop and think about all that God has done for you, is presently doing for you, and, what you are believing He will do for you in your future. .... Now just lift our hand and tell His, "Thank you!".

Worship of God is not a one-way street. God is not the only one who gets blessed when we worship. The worship of God has a powerful benefit in it for the one who is doing the worshipping. The benefit is that, as we worship God, we are changed. If you want to change, practice the worship of Almighty God.

How does worship change us, you ask? It is not simply the act of worship that changes us. It is the fact that as we worship God, we come into His very presence. In the presence of God, lives are changed. Suddenly people love other people, they forget their hurt and anger, and, they begin to forgive any mistreatment they may have received.

During the time of worship, we see others, and, things the way that God sees them.

The Bible is replete with incident after incident in which praising God saved lives, conquered enemies, brought deliverance and restored right thinking. Throughout the Bible, we read the accounts of witness, after, witness of the benefits of praising God.

When we give God praise, it shakes the atmosphere, and charges it with joy. Praise changes us as much as it changes the air around us. Praise gives us hope, changes our attitude, and, gives us resolve and confidence. Praise reminds us that we are not going through this life alone. It reminds us that the God of the Universe is right there with us, and, that He has our best interest at heart.

You praise action, you worship attributes....

PRAISE

Although we have separated worship from praise, when in action, they very often flow from one into the other. We generally begin with the action of praise, whether in word, song or dance. The reason for this is because praise declares thanksgiving for the works of the Lord. Praise describes the exploits of the one being praised and it is easy to talk, sing, or dance about the things that are tangible; the things that the Lord has done and the things He has made.

Just as it is easier to tell a person, "thank you", than to tell a person I love you.... Thank you can rest on anything, but I love you takes a moment to realize. Praise begins with the flesh. Worship is an act of the spirit.

WORSHIP

Worship declares the beauty of the Lord, His majesty, His glory, His wonderfulness, His greatness, His power.... it describes His attributes. Worship concentrates on who and what the the Lord our God "is". We forget about the "things" He has done and relish Him. Worship takes you into the presence of God.

Worship of any kind, for anything, or for anyone is an act of intimacy. Worship is total concentration on the object of worship.....When one worships, one exalts the object of the worship. Unlike praise, worship talks about the attributes of God, His qualities and characteristics.

O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker. _{Psalm 95:6} O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth _{Psalm 96:9} Exalt ye the Lord our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy. _{Psalm 99:5} I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever. _{Psalm 145:1}

The book of Psalms is the ultimate guide on how to worship and how to praise. Both the act of praise and the act of worship can be expressed in words, but is most often demonstrated through song. The word "psalm" means song.

150 Praise ye the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.² Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.³ Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.⁴ Praise him with the timbrel (tambourine),and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.⁵ Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.⁶ Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord. _{Psalm 150}

Anyone who desires to worship God, can worship God. The attitude of worship is not religious. It is humble and,anyone can be humble. Worship is vibrant and alive. Worship understands that God is greater, higher, and, more awesome than the worshiper. This knowledge often brings one to their knees, often causes their hands to raise, and, tears to stream.

When one worships God, he experiences the glory of God. The loving touch of God's presence flows, without restraint, and, the worshipper is even more overwhelmed with the object of his worship [God].

Like worship, anyone who desires can praise God. Praise flows out of gratefulness and thankfulness. It is not hard to tell look around and find a reason to praise God. He is worthy of being praised by everything that has breath.

I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. _{Psalm 34:1}

TheLord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him. _{Psalm 28:7}

Praise is an act of the will. We choose to praise the Lord. It is a good choice.