When we pray it often seems at a distance, we may come humbly and contritely before God with our prayers but they seem nothing like the psalms of David! How often a psalm starts with a Hallelujah (originally hallel yah meaning Praise the Lord) or a command to praise the Lord!

Ps 103

Praise the Lord, I tell myself;
with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.
Praise the Lord, I tell myself,
and never forget the good things he does for me.
He forgives all my sins
and heals all my diseases.
He ransoms me from death
and surrounds me with love and tender mercies.
He fills my life with good things.

My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!

The psalm finishes:

The Lord has made the heavens his throne;
from there he rules over everything.
Praise the Lord, you angels of his,
you might creatures who carry out his plans,
listening for each of his commands.
Yes, praise the Lord, you armies of angels
who serve him and do his will!
Praise the Lord, everything he has created,
everywhere in his kingdom.
As for me- I, too, will praise the Lord.

and Ps 111

Praise the Lord!
I will thank the Lord with all my heart
as I meet with his godly people.
How amazing are the deeds of the Lord!
All who delight in him should ponder them.
Everything he does reveals his glory and majesty.
His righteousness never fails.
Who can forget the wonders he performs?
How gracious and merciful is our Lord.

What is our attitude? Is it in an attitude of fear or an attitude of praise and worship? How do you see the Throne of God? Some will see it as just a physical throne, others as a throne of Judgement, others as a throne of Grace and Mercy. When coming into the presence of God in prayer what do we see? If we just see a physical throne, then there is no meaning and there is no life, no use of our prayers. If we see a throne of Judgement we are doomed, there is an awfulness about the future and we are fearful, afraid of what is to come. If we see a throne of Grace, we know the Love of God, the forgiveness of sin and healing power of His Peace. When we see a throne of Grace we can give thanks to God, we can praise Him, and we can worship Him!

We will all be judged, that is an awesomeness that is only right. But come to the Mercy Seat, the Throne of Grace, and our sins are wiped away, cleansed by the Blood of the Lamb. We know we have a life that is for ever, a life given to us by God. For what purpose; a purpose for which we and all creation were made – to praise and worship him!

Surely, as we come to our Lord, our God, to the very presence of Him who sits on the throne, in praise, worship and with hearts full of thanksgiving we shall be changed!