A Method for Prayer01 Matthew Henry
THANKSGIVINGS FOR MERCY of the fourth part of prayer, which is thanksgiving for the mercies we have received from God, and the many favors of his we are interested in, and have and hope for benefit by Our errand at the throne of grace is not only to seek the favor of God, but to give unto Him the glory due unto His name, and that not only by an awful adoration of His infinite perfections, but by a grateful acknowledgment of His goodness to us, which cannot indeed add anything to His glory, but He is pleased to accept of it, and to reckon Himselfglorified by it, if it come from a heart that's humbly sensible of its own unworthiness to receive any favor from God, that values the gifts, and loves the giver of them.
1. WE MUST STIR UP OURSELVES TO PRAISE GOD, WITH THE CONSIDERATION BOTH OF THE REASON AND OF THE ENCOURAGEMENT WE HAVE TO PRAISE HIM Unto you, O God, do we give thanks, unto you do we give thanks, for that your name is near your wondrous works declare. Psalm
Let our souls bless the Lord and let all that is within us bless his holy name; yea, let our souls bless the Lord, and not forget any of his benefits. Psalm 103:1, 2.
We will praise the Lord, for it is good, it is pleasant, and praise is comely for the upright, yea it is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto your name, O most High, to shew forth your loving-kindness in the morning, and your faithfulness every night. Psalm 147:1. Psalm 92:1, 2.
We will extol you our God, O king, and will bless your name for ever and ever; Every day will we bless you and will praise your name for ever and ever; we will abundantly utter the memory of your great goodness and sing of your righteousness. Psa/m 145:1, 2, 7.
We will sing unto the Lord a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints; O let Israel rejoice in him that made him, let the children of Zion be joyful in their King; Let the saints be joyful in glory, and let the high praises of God be in their hearts, and in their mouths. Psa/m 149-1, 2, 5, 6.
While we live, we will bless the Lord and will sing praises unto our God while we have any being; and when we have no being on earth, we hope to have a being in heaven to be doing it better. Psalm
We are here through Jesus Christ to offer the sacrifice ofpraise to you, which we desire to do continually, that is the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to your name. And you have said that he that offers praise glorifies you, and that this also shall please the Lord better than an ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs. Hebrews 13:15.
Psalm 50 (v. 23). Psalm 69:31.
We will mention the loving-kindnesses of the Lord, and the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness towards the house of Israel which he hath