I enjoy new songs. I am glad we have fresh words and melodies to express our adoration to God. I also like many of the older songs. One song that we sang frequently in the little church where I grew up in central Kansas was titled “Lord We Come Before Thee Now.” For a time, it was sung almost every Sunday as a call to worship. One phrase says, “tune our lips to sing thy praise.” Today I am thinking of a slightly different phrase: “hearts attuned to praise.”
My Sunday prayer guide includes developing a heart of adoration filled with gratitude and praise. Hearts attuned to praise seek opportunities to praise and worship God. Hearts attuned to praise rejoice as prayers and songs are presented before the throne of God. All creation declares the majesty and glory of the Creator. The created order naturally declares God’s splendor, it is a part of the nature of our world. In all of creation, only we human beings are free to choose–to praise or not to praise. Praise is a part of our nature, but we can refuse to acknowledge that part of who we are.
In praise we fully live out who we are and what God has made possible for us as his creation, created in his image and likeness. God, give us this day hearts attuned to praise, so that our tongues and lips, our hearts, and our lives declare your glory.