The Praise-Filled LifeSample

With All We Have

By Michael Youssef, Ph.D.

A man stood in a midweek prayer meeting and began to pray, “O Lord, I will praise You with the instrument of ten strings.” Just about everybody in the room opened at least one eye, because we knew there were no musical instruments around. I could sense a feeling of bewilderment throughout the prayer group. How was this man going to praise the Lord with a ten-stringed instrument?

He continued his prayer.

I will praise You with my two eyes—I will look only to You.

 

I will praise You by exalting You with my two ears—I will listen only to Your voice.

I will extol You with the work of my two hands—I will work in Your service wherever You direct.

I will honor You with my two feet—I will walk in Your statutes, and I will go wherever You lead.

I will magnify Your holy name with my tongue—I will testify constantly to Your loving-kindness.

I will worship You with my heart—I will love only You, and I will receive all the unconditional love You pour out in Your mercy, grace, and forgiveness.

I thank You, Lord, for the ten-stringed instrument that You built into my being. Keep me in tune and play upon me as You will. Ring out the melodies of Your grace. May the harmony of my praise song bring pleasure to You and glory to Your name. Amen.

This man knew about praising God with everything that was within him. We are to praise the Lord with our minds, hearts, and mouths. Praise involves the use of all that we have for God’s glory. With everything that is within us, let us praise the Lord!

Prayer: O Lord my God, my deepest desire is to praise and love You with all my heart, all my soul, all my mind, all my strength (Mark 12:30). Reveal to me the ways I am not honoring You. You are so worthy of all praise, and today I choose to praise You with every part of me. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever” (Psalm 86:12).

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This devotional is excerpted from I Praise You, O God. In this devotional book, Dr. Michael Youssef uses examples from his own life to demonstrate how praise restores our hope, keeps our hearts open to God’s voice, and anchors us in the storm. For more teachings, books, and downloadable resources from Leading The Way with Dr. Michael Youssef, visit us online at www.LTW.org.