Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
Sunday Morning Devotion: Week 3
Opening Prayer
Merciful and patient Lord, I don’t want to sin. I don’t want to “fail on purpose.” Yet I confess to you that I have not always put in place or practiced those wise spiritual disciplines that would draw me ever closer to you and protect me from the snares of the devil and my own fleshly weaknesses. Please forgive me and renew me. As David cried out, put a right spirit within me. Give me such a desire for you that turning away from you would be the last thing on my mind. Give me greater Spirit-enabled self-discipline and self-control to practice those means of grace you have given to your children to help us conform more and more to the likeness of your Son, our Lord and Savior. For it’s in his name and for his sake I pray. Amen.
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
By Joachim Neander
Psalm 103, 150
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise him, for his thy healthy and salvation!
All ye who hear, Now to his temple draw near;
Join me in glad adoration!
Praise to the Lord, who o’er all things so wondrously reigneth,
Shieldeth thee under his wings, yea, so gently sustaineth!
Hast thou not seen How thy desires e’er have been
Granted in what he ordaineth?
Praise to the Lord, who doth prosper thy work and defend thee;
Surely his goodness and mercy here daily attend thee.
Ponder anew What the Almighty can do,
If with his love he befriend thee.
Praise to the Lord! O let all that is in my adore him!
All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before him!
Let the amen Sound from his people again;
Gladly forever adore him. Amen.
Key Principles from this Hymn
The hymn emphasizes that God is the Almighty King of creation, encouraging believers to recognize, trust, and praise his supreme power and creative authority over every sphere of life.
The lyrics speak of God’s protective care, likening it to being shielded under his wings. This imagery reflects God’s gentle and sustaining provision in our lives, assuring us that he ordains our desires and works for our good. This is a portrait of God’s tenderness and power joined together and working for us.
The hymn repeatedly calls the faithful to gather in worship and adoration, emphasizing the communal aspect of praising God. It invites all of creation to join in joyful, heartfelt worship of the Almighty. It’s why we were created in the first place. Surely this is glimpse of what it means to seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness.
Questions for Discussion and Personal Reflection
How does recognizing God as the Almighty King of creation influence your daily life and decisions?
In what ways have you experienced God’s protection and sustenance in your own life?
What does it mean to you personally to be “shielded under his wings?”
How have you seen your desires granted according to God’s will?
What role does communal worship play in your spiritual life, and how does it strengthen your faith?
How can pondering anew what the Almighty can do change your perspective on current challenges or opportunities?
What practical steps can you take to ensure that every aspect of your life is a form of adoration to God? Can you imagine the beautiful and powerful witness of such a life lived before others?
Related Bible Verses to Reflect Upon
Psalm 103:1-5 - A psalm of David praising God for his benefits.
Psalm 91:1-4 - Describing God’s protection over his people.
Ephesians 3:20-21 - Acknowledging God’s power to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine.
Colossians 3:16-17 - Encouraging believers to let the word of Christ dwell richly and to do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Revelation 4:11 - Declaring the worthiness of the Lord to receive glory, honor, and power as the Creator.
Action Steps
Daily Praise and Worship: Dedicate time each day to praise God for his creation, protection, and blessings. This could be through prayer, singing, or reading psalms of praise.
Trust in God’s Providence: Reflect on past instances where God has provided and protected you, and let this strengthen your trust in his future plans for you. Keep a journal to note these instances and revisit them regularly. This helps us lengthen our memory of God’s goodness and provision in our lives.
Engage in Communal Worship: Make a commitment to regularly participate in church worship services and fellowship with other believers, fostering a spirit of common adoration and support.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Loving and self-revealing God, I thank you for those who have gone before me in the faith and who faithfully passed along the Gospel over the many centuries, so that I now might also partake of it. For your inspired Word, which is able to make me wise for salvation through faith in my Lord Jesus Christ, I give you thanks. Gracious Lord, please keep your Word alive in me so I may continually be trained in righteousness and equipped for every good work you set before me. In Christ I pray, Amen. (based on 2 Timothy 3:14-17)
Prayer Prompts
Use the following prayer prompts to encourage you to pray beyond your usual prayer requests. These prompts are included here to help get your own creative juices flowing and not to be regarded as strict and legalistic requirements. Use them or do not use them according to your need. May the Lord bless you as you go deeper with him in the holy communion of prayer.
Petition – prayers for yourself
Help me to grow in wisdom and become who you created and redeemed me to be.
Renew my mind and enable me to cultivate a godly perspective and attitude regarding the various spheres and circumstances of my life.
Today’s events and interactions with others, planned and unplanned
Other needs
Intercession – prayers for others
My family, immediate and extended
Those struggling with sin, illness, or difficulties in their workplace
Other needs
Quotation from Church History
“Next to the Word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world.” (Martin Luther)