The Power of Praise | Why Am I Here Series | #209

Praise isn't just something we do when everything's going right—it's a spiritual discipline that transforms our relationship with God regardless of circumstances. This guided Christian meditation explores why praise matters and how it answers one of our deepest existential questions: "Why am I here?"

Drawing from Hebrews 13:15, we explore praise as "the fruit of our lips"—a continuous offering to God that transcends our circumstances. The meditation begins with a soul-cleansing repentance exercise using Psalm 51, followed by physical and mental preparation techniques designed to help you enter fully into God's presence. Through controlled breathing, muscle relaxation, and focused reflection, you'll create sacred space for encountering God.

The heart of this meditation invites you to wrestle with a challenging question: "Do I praise God in my tough times?" Many of us find it easy to praise when life is good, but Scripture calls us to offer a "sacrifice of praise"—suggesting that true worship often comes at a cost. When we praise through difficulties, we redirect our focus from our problems to the One who can heal, save, and deliver us.

You'll leave this meditation with a powerful daily affirmation—"Lord, I praise you for being loving and in control of my life"—and a visualization exercise that helps you acknowledge God's goodness even in casual conversations. By practicing continuous praise, you'll discover that it's not just something you do; it becomes who you are. This meditation isn't just about feeling better; it's about realigning your heart with your divine purpose: offering unceasing praise to your Creator.

Join us in discovering how praise transforms not just your prayer life but your entire perspective on why you're here. For newcomers, check out episode 164 for an explanation of our meditation process, or contact us for our free e-book on Christian meditation.

Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction to Guided Christian Meditation
• 1:06 Soul Cleansing Through Repentance
• 3:25 Physical and Mental Preparation
• 5:27 Reflection on Hebrews 13:15
• 9:58 Affirmation and Closing Practice

Transcript

Pastor Robert Young: 0:05

Welcome to this week's Guided Christian Meditation. If you're new to the podcast and may not understand our process, then check out episode number 164. Dan and Sheila from the Deep Dive give an excellent review and explanation about our process. You can also receive our e-book explaining the process of getting started with Christian meditation. Contact us in the description box below.

Pastor Robert Young: 0:40

Today let's continue in our series called why Am I here? Our topic today answers this question and is about praise, praise being the outward expression through words of adoration, music and more. Our scripture is from Hebrews, chapter 13, verse 15.

Pastor Robert Young: 1:07

But first, proper worship of God requires us to be completely involved and free from sin in mind, body and spirit. Let's prepare our hearts by repenting of any known sin that might be in our lives, by simply repeating Psalms 51, verses 1 and 2, which says, have mercy upon me, o God, according to thy lovingkindness, according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies, blot out my transgressions, wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity and cleanse me from my sin, for I acknowledge my transgressions and my sin is ever before me Against thee. Thee only have I sinned and done this evil in thy sight.

Pastor Robert Young: 2:22

Now that our soul has been cleaned, we can enter into worship of our Heavenly Father by focusing on Psalms 100, verses 1 through 3, where it tells us to shou to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness, come before him with joyful songs. Take a moment to lift up your voice in praise and thanksgiving to our Heavenly Father, who is worthy of all honor and glory.

Pastor Robert Young: 3:08

Before we start to reflect on Hebrews, chapter 13, verse 15, let's prepare our minds by closing our eyes and taking a few deep breaths as we invite the presence of God to fill us. Take a few deep breaths in for a count of seven. Hold the breath for a count of five and slowly exhale for a count of seven. Repeat the exercise.

Pastor Robert Young: 3:56

Now let's prepare our bodies with muscle relaxation exercises. We will simply tense each muscle group for three seconds and then release the muscle and, as always, don't hold your breath for this portion of the meditation. Let's begin with the calf muscles. Lightly tense for three seconds, now release. Moving upwards to the hamstrings, the quads and glutes, lightly tense for three seconds, now release. Moving to the chest and back area, lightly tense for three seconds, now release. Finally, moving to the arms and shoulders, lightly tense these muscle groups for three seconds, now release.

Pastor Robert Young: 5:03

Now that we've prepared our minds, our bodies and our spirit, let's begin to think about Hebrews, chapter 13, verse 15, where it says, by him, therefore, let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually. That is the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to his name.

Pastor Robert Young: 5:34

The word praise is used over 200 times in the Bible. It speaks of an outward expression of God's love for us, our love for Him, for His majesty. In Hebrews 13, 15, the writer is encouraging the church to give God the praise that he deserves by speaking of his goodness. Always, no matter what we are going through, we should give God the praise that he deserves. Being grateful and thankful to God keeps our focus on the one who can heal us and deliver us from all worldly troubles. Why would we not praise him for his goodness?

Pastor Robert Young: 6:35

Let's take three minutes to reflect on the following question. The question is, do I praise God in my tough times? .

Pastor Robert Young: 9:57

Repeat this affirmation now and for the next six days. Lord, I praise you for being loving and in control of my life. Again, lord, I praise you for being loving and in control of my life.

Pastor Robert Young: 10:18

Imagine someone asking you how have you been? Picture yourself saying God has been good to me. Now feel the joy bubble up inside of your body, knowing that God is pleased with you acknowledging Him in the presence of someone.

Pastor Robert Young: 10:54

Listen ,to this meditation daily until it becomes permanent in your spirit. Search out other scriptures that talk about praising God. Now, take five minutes to give praise for all the blessings in your life. Tell him how wonderful he is and remember, all the wonderful things that you and I could possibly say about God, no-transcript

Pastor Robert Young: 16:33

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