How Praising Is Praying

Declaring who God is isn't just what we do before we pray—it's the very heart of prayer itself

Many Christians believe the primary purpose of prayer is to ask God for help and blessings. Yet my research shows that in the Bible's own prayer book—the Psalms—praise may actually outweigh petition by nearly two to one. This stark contrast matters more than ever in our current age of instant gratification, where the 'prayer as wishlist' mindset has potentially diminished our understanding of true spiritual connection.

The misconception runs deeper than we might think.

While most believers readily associate praise with Sunday morning worship services and uplifted hands, we often mentally separate it from our prayer life. We compartmentalize: singing is for praise, prayer is for requests. But this division never existed in Scripture.

Consider King David's approach.

When he appointed the Levites as worship leaders, he didn't just create a musical program—he established a pattern of continuous prayer through praise. In 1 Chronicles 15:16, we see these leaders were commissioned to raise "the voice with resounding joy," accompanied by stringed instruments, harps, and cymbals. This wasn't just a performance; it was a perpetual conversation with God.

But one thing everyone misses: praise itself is a form of prayer—perhaps its highest form. When we praise God, we're not just singing words or acknowledging facts. We're actively engaging in divine dialogue, declaring His character back to Him. It's like holding up a mirror to perfection and saying, "This is who You are, and I stand in awe."

Let's break this down into practical understanding:

First, praise is simply telling God who He is. It's proclaiming His excellence as Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer, and Provider. This basic act of recognition transforms our prayer perspective from "what can I get?" to "who am I addressing?"

Going deeper, praise reshapes our own perspective. When we acknowledge God's holiness, glory, and authority, something profound happens. Our problems don't disappear, but they resize themselves against the backdrop of His majesty.

Our prayers naturally shift from panic to peace, from demands to trust.

The revolutionary truth is this: every genuine praise is a prayer, and every authentic prayer contains praise. When Jesus taught His disciples to pray "hallowed be your name," He wasn't suggesting they begin with a polite formality before getting to their request list. He was establishing the foundation of all true prayer—the recognition and exaltation of God's character.

As Biblical scholar Albert Barnes notes, "'Hallowed' means to render or pronounce holy. When we pray these words, we're expressing our desire for God's name to be celebrated, venerated, and properly honored everywhere." This isn't just spiritual courtesy—it's transformative communication.

Look at portrait of God:

In Psalm 118, our Almighty God is portrayed as good, enduring in love, answering our calls, becoming our refuge, fighting on our side, standing as our strength and song, proving more trustworthy than any human alliance, disciplining with purpose, and establishing Himself as the cornerstone of our lives.

The Psalmist recognizes and acknowledges the glory of the Lord of hosts.

This isn't just poetry—it's a prayer that changes the one who prays it.

What happens when you pray like this? You're not just a person who prays anymore. You're a participant in heaven's eternal praise, joining your voice with angels and saints across time who have discovered this transformative truth: praise isn't just what we do before we pray—it's the very heart of prayer itself.

The next time you pray, try this: before presenting your requests, spend time simply declaring who God is. Watch how this practice transforms not just your prayers, but your entire perspective on your relationship with the Divine. After all, in heaven, praise isn't just part of the conversation—it is the conversation.

When we praise in our prayers, we're practicing for eternity.

What About You?

In what ways can you incorporate more praise into your regular prayer routine, and how might this shift impact your relationship with God?

Photo by Yanin Diaz on Unsplash