Sweet Sounds of Praise
Do you hear others pray with beautiful, eloquent words and feel instantly inadequate? Or, do you hear others sing and wonder how God can stand your own dismal croaking? Let me encourage you not to be self-conscious before God but try to realize what really counts.
One day when I was visiting a church, I was treated to one of the most beautiful choral tributes I have ever heard. Their majestic praises swelled melodiously in exaltation to God in a perfect blending of music and voices.
In my heart I sensed God's pleasure and approval, but I was reminded that it wasn't the perfect pitch of their singing or the beauty of the music that pleased God, but rather the attitude of each person's heart in the expression of their love for Him.
David, the musician, wrote of the benefits of the heart's expression of love to God: "I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart: I will show forth (recount and tell aloud) all Your marvelous works and wonderful deeds! I will rejoice in You and be in high spirits; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High!" (Psalm 9:1-2, AMP).
As we live a life of wholehearted praise to God we will be full of joy and high spirits. Isn't it wonderful to know tonight that no matter how we sound when we sing or speak to God that it isn't the perfection or eloquence that counts, but the wholehearted effort and the wholehearted love behind it!
God loves you and wants to answer your prayer. Say this prayer with me:
Dear Father, I thank You that You can look into my heart and see the love I have for You, and that when I sing or try to express myself You don't care if my attempt is awkward or imperfect because You are looking at the intentions of my heart. Thank you for the peace that it gives me tonight. In Jesus' Name, Amen.