1. 1 We Believe — First Principles of Prayer – as taught by Scripture and illustrated in the lives of the righteous that “it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.” Psalm 147:1

2. 2 “ And the L ORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David … [he] sought to the L ORD God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel. Therefore the L ORD stablished the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents; and he had riches and honour in abundance. And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the L ORD : moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah. ” ( 2Chron 17:3-6 )

3. 3 “And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the LORD. Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast taken away the groves out of the land, and hast prepared thine heart to seek God.” (2Chron 19:2-3)

4. 4 2Chron 20: “The Battle of Berachah” “A great multitude”: coalition of Ammonites, Moabites and Edomites sweeps up from the south (vss.1-2)

5. 5 2Chron 20: “The Battle of Berachah” “A great multitude”: coalition of Ammonites, Moabites and Edomites sweeps up from the south (vss.1-2) “Jehoshaphat feared, and set his face [mg.] to seek the L ORD ” (vss.3-4)

6. 6 2Chron 20: “The Battle of Berachah” “A great multitude”: coalition of Ammonites, Moabites and Edomites sweeps up from the south (vss.1-2) “Jehoshaphat feared, and set his face [mg.] to seek the L ORD ” (vss.3-4) Jehoshaphat prays before all (vss.5-13)

7. 7 2Chron 20: “The Battle of Berachah” “A great multitude”: coalition of Ammonites, Moabites and Edomites sweeps up from the south (vss.1-2) “Jehoshaphat feared, and set his face [mg.] to seek the L ORD ” (vss.3-4) Jehoshaphat prays before all (vss.5-13) Response: “Hearken ye, all Judah!” (vss.14-19)

8. 8 2Chron 20: “The Battle of Berachah” “A great multitude”: coalition of Ammonites, Moabites and Edomites sweeps up from the south (vss.1-2) “Jehoshaphat feared, and set his face [mg.] to seek the L ORD ” (vss.3-4) Jehoshaphat prays before all (vss.5-13) Response: “Hearken ye, all Judah!” (vss.14-19) Resolution: “singers … went out before the army … to say, Praise the L ORD ; for his mercy endureth for ever.” (vss.20-25)

9. 9 “for there they blessed the name of the L ORD ” Praise before the deliverance (vss. 21-22) Praise after the deliverance (vss. 26, 27-28)

10. 10 “Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits... Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.... Bless the Lord, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the Lord, O my soul.” Ps 103:1-2,20,22

11. 11 The Bible’s praise textbook – Where? – Why? – How? – Who? Praise as offering Class outline:

12. 12 Psalm Start End 104, 105  106   111, 112  113   115-117  135   146-150   Revelation 19:1,3,4,6 Heavenly praises in anticipation of the marriage supper of the Lamb

13. 13 1 Praise the L ORD ! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty firmament! 2 Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his exceeding greatness! 3 Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! 4 Praise him with timbrel and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! 5 Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! 6 Let everything that breathes praise the L ORD ! Praise the L ORD !

14. 14 1 Praise the L ORD ! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty firmament! 2 Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his exceeding greatness! 3 Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! 4 Praise him with timbrel and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! 5 Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! 6 Let everything that breathes praise the L ORD ! Praise the L ORD ! Where?

15. 15 1 Praise the L ORD ! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty firmament! 2 Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his exceeding greatness! 3 Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! 4 Praise him with timbrel and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! 5 Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! 6 Let everything that breathes praise the L ORD ! Praise the L ORD ! Why?

16. 16 “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; ‘I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.’ ” (Isaiah 57:15)

17. 17 1 Praise the L ORD ! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty firmament! 2 Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his exceeding greatness! 3 Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! 4 Praise him with timbrel and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! 5 Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! 6 Let everything that breathes praise the L ORD ! Praise the L ORD ! How?

18. 18 Psalm 50:14-15,23 “And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. (RSV) Hebrew 13:15 “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name”

19. 19 1 Praise the L ORD ! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty firmament! 2 Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his exceeding greatness! 3 Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! 4 Praise him with timbrel and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! 5 Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! 6 Let everything that breathes praise the L ORD ! Praise the L ORD ! Who?

20. 20 God’s greatness inspires praise Praise: – its priority in prayer – benefits us – pleases God – should be unabashed! – constant Class summary: