Praise Unlocks the Door

Enter his gates with thanksgiving
       and his courts with praise;
       give thanks to him and praise his name. Psalm 100:4

Props: large, oversized key labeled “praise” and real (or imaginary) door

There are lots of Christians who want to pray, but don’t know how.  How many of you have ever wondered how to pray before?  (Allow for response).  Prayer is no big mystery; it’s simply talking with God and listening to Him—in other words, connecting with Him.  But there are some ways to go about praying that are better than others. 

            Imagine that God is on the other side of this door, seated on His throne in Heaven.  Many people just stand at the door and never go in to God.  They may be afraid or not know what to say.  Lots of people just don’t “feel” like praying, or they don’t think it will do any good.  So they never go to God.

            Then there is a different group of people.  These people just barge right in.  Their prayer time sounds something like this: “Dear God, give me a good day with lots of fun and please let my mom say I can have all my friends over and, oh, yeah, let me get good grades on all my tests and heal my big toe and make my brother share and…”  These people nearly knock the door down and then throw everything on God and run out! 

            But there is a better way to come to God!  Psalm 100:4 says “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.”  That means that when you come near to God, the first thing you should do is give thanks to Him and praise Him.  Tell Him thanks for all the great things He has done for you and praise Him for all His wonderful works.  (Display key).  Your praise is like a key that unlocks the door to where God is.  You can go right up to His throne as you praise and thank Him.  Then you can ask Him for all the things you need.  Your praise and thanks will get you in to God.  So as you begin your prayer time each day, remember to start with thanks and praise to God.