I usually try to follow the ACTS order when I pray: Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication. I’ve written elsewhere that when I begin with adoration, it sets the tone for my prayer. However, adoration is the hardest part for me to do, especially if I am mad at God.
As great as God is, sometimes I don’t know what to say to Him to praise Him other than, “Praise God.” I’ve gotten really good at the supplication part, but when it comes to the adoration part I am at a lost for words. Oftentimes, I just skip over the adoration and just present my requests to Him; after all, that’s what’s prayer is about right?
I’ve heard some poems, songs, and soliloquies over the years that celebrate the greatness and extol the attributes of God and which have, in turn, helped to give me words to adore Him. If you struggle similarly, I hope they help you too — to worship Him for who He is and for all that He is.
If there are words for Him then I don’t have them. You see my brain has not yet reached a point where it can form a thought that could adequately describe the greatness of my God. And my lungs have not yet developed the ability to release a breath of enough agility to breath out the greatness of his love. And my voice, you see my voice is so inhibited, restrained by human limits that it’s hard to even send the praise up you see if there are words for Him then, I don’t have them.
My God, His Grace is remarkable mercies are innumerable strength is impenetrable.
He is honorable, accountable, favorable. He’s unsearchable yet knowable, indefinable yet approachable, indescribable yet personal.
He is beyond comprehension, further than imagination, constant to generations, King of every nation. But if there are words for Him, then I don’t have them.
You see my words are few and to try and capture the one true God using my vocabulary would never do, but I use words as an expression. An expression of worship to a Savior. A savior who is both worthy and deserving of my praise, so I use words.
My heart extols the Lord blesses His Name forever. He has won my heart, captured my mind and has bound them both together. He has defeated me in my rebellion, conquered me in my sin. He has welcomed me into His presence, completely invited me in. He has made Himself the object of my sight, flooded me with mercies in the morning, drowned me with Grace in the night but if there are words for Him then I don’t have them.
But what I do have is good news. For my God knew that man-made words would never do, for words are just tools that we use to point to the truth, so He sent His Son Jesus Christ as the Word, living proof; He is the image of the invisible God. The first born of all creation. For by Him all things were created giving nothingness formation and by His Word He sustains in the power of His Name.
For He is before all things and over all things He reigns Holy is His Name, so praise Him for His Life.
The way He persevered in strife the humble Son of God becoming the perfect sacrifice. Praise Him for His death!
Then He willingly stood in our place, that He lovingly endured the grave, that He bowed our enemy and on the third day rose in victory. He is everything that was promised.
Praise Him as risen King, lift your voice and sing, for one day He will return for us and we will finally be united with our Savior for eternity, eternity!
So it’s not just words that I proclaim, for my words point to the Word and the Word has a Name.
Hope has a Name.
Joy has a Name.
Peace has a Name.
Love has a Name and that Name is Jesus Christ, praise His Name forever!!
— Isaac Wimberley
Who’s Your Daddy – Patricia Shirer
Who do you belong to?
He is the first and the last, the beginning and the end
He’s the Keeper of creation and creator of all
He’s the architect of the universe and the manager of all time
He always was, always is and always will be unmoved, unchanged, undefeated and never undone
He was bruised, but brought healing
He was pierced, but eased pain
He was persecuted, but brought freedom
He was dead and brings life
He is risen to bring power
and He reigns to bring peace
The world can’t understand him. Armies can’t defeat him. Schools can’t explain him. Leaders can’t ignore him. Herod couldn’t kill him. Nero couldn’t crush him. The New Age cannot replace him. And Oprah cannot explain Him away.
Remind yourself that He is light
He is love
He is longevity
And He is the Lord
He is goodness, kindness and faithfulness
And He is God
He is holy, and righteous, and powerful and pure
His ways are right
His word is eternal
His will unchanging
His mind is on us
He’s our Saviour, our guide, our peace, our joy, our comfort, our Lord
And He rules our lives
I serve him because:
His bond is love
His yoke is easy
His burden is light
and His goal for us is abundant life
I follow him because:
He is the wisdom of the wise, the power of the powerful, the ancient of days, the ruler of rulers
He is the leader of all leaders
His goal is a relationship with me
He’ll never leave me
Never forsake me
Never mislead me
Never forget me
Never overlook me
and Never cancel my appointment in his appointment book
When I fall, He will lift me up.
When I fail, He will forgive me.
When I am weak, He is strong.
When I am lost, He is my way.
When I am afraid, He is my courage.
When I stumble, He will steady me.
When I am hurt, He’s gonna heal me.
When I am broken, He will mend me.
When I am blind, He will lead me.
When I am hungry, He will feed me.
When I face trials, He is with me.
When I face persecution, He shields me.
When I face problems, He will comfort me.
When I face loss, He will provide for me.
When we face death, He will carry us home to meet him.
HE IS EVERYTHING… for everybody… everywhere… everytime… in every way! He is my God! That is who I belong to!
