Matthew Henry’s “Method For Prayer”

Introduction and Exhortation to Stir Yourself Up to Praise God

Thanksgiving 4.0 | NIV

Of the Fourth Part of Prayer, which is Thanksgivings for the Mercies I have Received from God and the Many Favors of His I am Interested in and Have and Hope for Benefit by

My errand at the throne of grace is not only to seek the favor of God, but to ascribe to him the glory due his name, Psalm 29:2(NIV) and that, not only by an awful adoration of his infinite perfections, but by a grateful acknowledgment of his goodness to me, which cannot indeed add anything to his glory, but he is pleased to accept of it and to reckon himself glorified by it, if it comes from a heart that is humbly sensible of its own unworthiness to receive any favor from God, that values the gifts and loves the Giver of them.

I must stir up myself to praise God with the consideration both of the reason and of the encouragement I have to praise him.

I give thanks to you, O God, I give thanks, for your Name is near; I tell of your wonderful deeds. Psalm 75:1(NIV)

Let my soul praise the LORD, and let all my inmost being praise his holy name; yes, let my soul praise the LORD and not forget any of his benefits. Psalm 103:1-2(NIV)

I will praise the Lord, for it is good, it is pleasant, Psalm 92:1(NIV) and it is fitting for the upright to praise him; Psalm 33:1(NIV) yes, it is good to praise the LORD and make music to your name, O Most High, to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night. Psalm 92:1-2(NIV)

I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever: Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever; Psalm 145:1-2(NIV) I will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness. Psalm 145:7(NIV)

I will sing to the LORD a new song, his praise in the assembly of the saints. O let Israel rejoice in their Maker; let the people of Zion be glad in their King. Psalm 149:1-2(NIV) Let the saints rejoice in this honor, and may the praises of God be in their hearts and in their mouths. Psalm 149:5-6(NIV)

I will bless the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. Psalm 146:2(NIV) And when I have no being on earth, I hope to have a being in heaven, to be doing it better.

I am here through Jesus Christ to offer to you a sacrifice of praise, which I desire to do continually – the fruit of lips that confess your name. Hebrews 13:15(NIV) And you have said that he who sacrifices thank offerings honors you, Psalm 50:23(NIV) and that this also will please the LORD more than an ox, more than a bull with its horns and hoofs. Psalm 69:31(NIV)

I will tell of the kindnesses of the LORD, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the LORD has done for his people – yes, the many good things he has done for the house of Israel, according to his compassion and many kindnesses. Isaiah 63:7(NIV)

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