Are you looking to learn how to praise God? Do you wish to learn creative ways to praise our Lord? Do you want praise to be more than just a word you say to our Creator?
Praise is a way to secure your attention on God and who He is, bringing your heart into a place of worship. There is a feeling of excitement when you come together with other believers to praise the Holy Name of God.
However, praise is not limited to fellowship with others. You can and should praise God on your own – all the time. You might wonder what the difference is between praise and worship.
These musings and more will be answered in this article. We will discuss creative ways to praise God and how praise and worship work together. You will also gain some insightful prayers to use in your praises!
He is the One you praise; He is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes. – Deuteronomy 10:21 (NIV)
This post may contain affiliate links. Please visit our Privacy Policy for more information.
How to Change Your Life by Praising God
Praising God isn’t just part of a formula for a good Christian lifestyle. Praising God will change your life! It will also help you develop a deeper relationship with God.
You praise God for who He is, but there are some key benefits for you in the process.
#1. Praise fosters joy.
It is very difficult to be in a bad mood when you are saying the positive attributes of our Father. Isaiah 61:3 describes praise as a garment.
You can choose to put on this garment each day. Praise will encourage joy in your life.
#2. Praise reminds us of what God has done.
The basis for praise is highlighting what God has done in history and in your current life. When you praise Him, you are reminded of all the good He has done.
If you are going through a difficult time, you can use praise to show just how powerful God is. Gain the reminder of God’s strength every time you praise the Lord!
#3. Praise provides refreshment.
Life is exhausting. Praising God provides refreshment for your spirit. Praise can turn even the worst day around.
Praise gives you a break and a rest when life becomes chaotic. Why not turn to praise?
#4. Praise places our focus on God.
One major benefit of praise is that it refocuses your mind. Instead of dwelling on a problem or situation, your focus is turned to the greatness of God.
It can be a nice reminder that life isn’t always about you.
The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him and He helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise Him. – Psalm 28:7 (NIV)
The Difference Between Praise and Worship
You have probably heard the terms praise and worship used interchangeably in church. Are they really the same thing, though?
Praise is an expression of gratitude towards God because of what He has done. Worship is entering into God’s presence and reverence for who He is. Worship declares Him worthy.
The difference between praise and worship is how we approach them. By practicing praise in our daily lives, we will live in a state of worship. It is hard to separate the two. Worship gives praise to God, and praise is an element of that worship.
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. – Psalm 150:6 (NIV)
How to Praise God (31 Creative Ways)
If you want to take your praise to the next level and learn how to praise God from deep within your heart, these ideas will spark that creativity within you. Possibly you are in a rut when it comes to praising the Lord. You may just need a little kickstart to your personal praise.
Whether you are a new Christian or a seasoned believer, there is an idea here for you!
#1. Use the ABCs.
The first creative way you can praise God is to use the ABCs. You start with the letter A and list all the ways you can describe God starting with that letter.
For example, you can say amazing, almighty, all-powerful, or awe-inspiring. Continue to work your way through the alphabet until you get to the letter “Z.”
If you need further inspiration to praise God using the alphabet, consider searching for a list of positive descriptive words or ask your children for their insight!
#2. Praise Him with others.
You can start a social media campaign or message thread with friends and family. Have each person list one reason they are praising God today.
Find a church that you can attend to praise God with even more people. You might also consider attending a Celebrate Recovery meeting – where everyone is welcome!
At Celebrate Recovery meetings, there is a time reserved for praise and worship – a time when everyone can just be themselves with no judgment!
#3. Praise the Lord by singing.
God created you just as you are. So, lift that voice of yours in song! It is beautiful to Him – even if you worry that you might not sound the best!
#4. Use music to praise.
If you don’t want to sing or don’t enjoy singing, listen to praise music. Let the Holy Spirit speak to you through a song. You might easily find that hearing others is quite moving and makes a difference!
#5. Dance before the Lord.
In Psalm 30:11, we learn that God turned David’s wailing into dancing. Loosen up and dance before the Lord to truly experience His power and might! Adore Him!
#6. Lift your hands in praise.
Have you ever noticed that lifted hands look like a child wanting to be picked up? Let God pick you up today! Lift your hands in praise to your Father! He wants you to want Him!
#7. Praise God with words.
Do you enjoy writing? Praise God by writing a poem, short story, or another form of prose. You might try writing in a prayer journal or plain notebook to truly allow your creative juices to flow!
#8. Pray praises in Scripture.
If you aren’t sure how or what to praise, read the Bible and pray that way. Praying scripture back to the One who breathed life into It is extremely powerful.
If you aren’t sure where to begin, turn to Psalms. They are full of examples of what to say. Make them personal.
Here is an example I use:
I will exalt You, O Lord, for You lifted Shana out of the depths and did not let Shana’s enemies gloat over Shana. O Lord, Shana’s God, Shana called to You for help, and You healed Shana.
Using my name repetitively reminds me that God does this for me!
#9. Praise God with thanksgiving.
Make a list of all the things you have to be thankful for. Speak each one out loud, specifically thanking God for that thing.
#10. Praise through confession.
If you have a sin weighing on your heart, praise God by confessing the sin and thanking Him for redemption through Christ Jesus. Turn to Psalm 51 for guidance in this area.
#11. Praise the Lord in silence.
You can praise the Lord by being silent in His presence. Think about what it means when someone listens to you. God feels the same way when we listen to Him! Praise Him by showing Him you know He is worthy to be heard.
Learn more about how to listen to God!
#12. Praise God through your giving.
Everything you have is from God. You can praise Him by giving back. Giving should be done out of love. In this act, you show God that you know He needs nothing, but you desire an opportunity to be a part of His Kingdom.
#13. Use gardening to praise God.
You can use gardening as a way to praise God. After all, He is the Almighty Creator. Everything we see is something that He designed. You can praise Him by caring for His creation!
#14. Praise God with journaling.
You can keep a record of praises to God or make a separate creative page in your journal for praise. Consider starting a prayer journal today for further insight.
With journaling, you can date your entries to have an ongoing record of your relationship with God! It’s a powerful way to keep track of how you are doing on your spiritual walk!
#15. Praise by coloring.
Do you enjoy coloring? Grab a coloring page and write an attribute of God on the page. Color it in and put it up somewhere you can see it daily! This is a great activity to involve the whole family!
#16. Obedience is an act of praise.
Obedience is an act of praise to our Father. He desires your obedience because this shows Him your love. When you are obedient, you show God that He is the King of your life whom you seek to please.
#17. Go on a nature praise walk.
Take a walk and stop every time something reminds you of God. If you see a beautiful bird, thank God for His creation. If you see a homeless person, praise God for His provision. Praise Him for everything that crosses your path.
#18. Praise Him in the storm.
The next time there is a storm, praise Him for His perfect creation. Praise Him for providing the weather in the right season. Count the seconds between the lightning and the thunder, and use that number as a way to list that many praises to God!
#19. Paint your praises.
Grab a canvas and paint your praises. It could be words or pictures; it could just be inspired strokes. Paint whatever is on your heart.
#20. Praise God through volunteering.
You can praise God by caring for others. Praise and worship are not just one-time acts. They are part of your daily lifestyle. Get involved with a local charity or see where you can be used at the local animal shelter.
#21. Use the clock.
If you struggle to remember to praise God, try using the clock! Decide to praise God every hour. Set reminders on your phone and praise God whenever an alarm goes off. Do it even if it is as simple as, “Lord, I praise You!”
#22. Praise God with fasting.
Fasting is not meant to be holier than thou practice for the elite. You don’t need to jump in on a 40-day fast. You can skip one meal, cut out caffeine, or try a 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. fast. There are many different ways to fast.
Fasting shows God you are spirit-led and trust in Him to provide. Fasting praises His supernatural ability to give you what you need! It also reminds you to have control over your flesh.
#23. Praise God on your commute.
Do you spend a lot of time in the car driving to and from the office or running errands? Spend this time praising God!
#24. Launder your praises.
When you are doing laundry, praise God for each family member and His provision in their lives! This is a simple and practical way to show God gratitude for the things He has provided for you!
#25. Post God throughout your house.
Use colorful sticky notes throughout your house to write the attributes of God. Each time you see one, you will be reminded to praise God for who He is in a new way.
#26. Praise God for answered prayers.
You can keep a journal, a prayer jar, or an app to track your prayers. Whenever you aren’t sure how to praise God, praise Him for answered prayers! That is a list that never ends!
#27. Do a neighborhood praise walk.
This is similar to the nature praise walk, but use this time to praise God for the work He is doing in your neighborhood and in your neighbors’ lives.
#28. Kneel in praise.
Psalm 95:6 reminds us to kneel in the presence of the Lord. Kneel before your Creator to truly experience something that is life-changing!
#29. Feast in praise.
Gather your friends and family and hold a praise feast! Eat and enjoy each other’s presence while praising God!
#30. Make a noise.
There are many examples in the Bible of musical instruments or hand clapping used in praise. Make a noise for the Lord!
#31. Ask others how they praise Him.
If you are still wondering how to praise God or looking for new ways to praise the Lord, ask others how they praise Him. You might inadvertently remind them to praise and gain some new ideas – at the same time.
“Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord, O my soul. I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.” – Psalm 146:1-2 (NIV)
Praying the Scriptures: How to Use Prayers of Praise to God
There are many examples of excellent prayers of praise in scripture. Exodus 15 is one of my favorites. Here are a few others you can use in your alone or quiet time with God.
“The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge, and my savior – from violent men, you save me. I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies.” – 2 Samuel 22:2-4 (NIV)
“Stand up and bless the LORD your God. Forever and ever! Blessed be Your glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise! You alone are the LORD; You made the heaven; The heaven of heavens, with all their host, The earth and everything on it, The seas and all that is in them, and You preserve them all. The host of heaven worships You.” – Nehemiah 9:5-6 (NKJV)
“I will praise You, O LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all Your wonders. I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.” – Psalm 9:1-2 (NIV)
For more insight into praying the scriptures, check out our FREE Praying the Scriptures eBook or the article that coincides with it about How to Pray the Word of God!
Additional Scriptures to Use to Praise God
- Psalm 18:2-3
- 1 Chronicles 29:10-13
- Psalm 30:1-5, 11-12
- Psalm 31:21
- Psalm 36:5-9
- Psalm 51:15
- Jeremiah 17:14
- Habakkuk 3:17-18
- Luke 24:53
- Acts 10:44, 46
- Ephesians 1:3-6
- Philippians 4:4
Bonus: More Ways to Praise God Resources
Praise Warfare: Overcoming Your Fears, Worries & Battles With the Power of Praise is a fantastic book that teaches you to transform your prayer warfare into praise warfare. Not only will this book change how you see praise, but it includes a 5-day devotional for a breakthrough.
Bethel Music’s Starlight (Live) album will take your praise music to the next level. Let the Holy Spirit speak to you through the words of this worship album.
Godstruck Ministries 4 Kids will give you an awesome launching pad to teach your kids Ways to Praise.
The Prayer Journal for Men is a great gift for the man in your life, whether father, husband, son, or brother. This guided journal will help him cultivate reflection, gratitude, and praise in just a few minutes a day!
Frequently Asked Questions
How can you use your creativity for God?
Start by thanking God for inspiration within the world. Then look for ways to use your art to start conversations with others about God. You can use writing to start a discussion, art to inspire praise, or music to encourage worship. Ask the Holy Spirit to speak to others through your art.
How can you praise God when you don’t feel like it?
It can be hard to praise God when you feel down or depressed. It can help to keep a journal of praise ideas for when days are difficult. You can also turn to scripture for guidance and inspiration. The Psalms are full of guided prayers that praise the Lord.
What does it mean to praise God through the storm?
This concept comes from David and reminds us to always fix our focus on God. We should live in a constant state of praise and worship, even when life has us in the middle of a storm. We should put God first and trust in Him regardless of our circumstances.
What does praising God mean?
Praising God is an act of worship. It means glorifying God for what He has done and who He is. It means to lift Him up and say how great He is! True praise starts with understanding His Word, which turns into true worship.
What is the highest form of praise to God?
Obedience is the highest form of praise to God. Obedience sacrifices the flesh for the spirit. It also shows God that we wish to please Him. Our obedience causes the Lord’s heart to delight. In obedience, we say to God that He is worthy above all else.
Conclusion
You should have a solid idea of how to praise God and plenty of ideas for creative praise and worship. If your heart is right, you can turn just about anything into praise for our Lord.
Praise comes from a place of love within our hearts. Just seek to please God, and you’ll thrive at praising God. After all, praise is a way of making God happy and thanking Him for the blessings and grace in our lives.
Have you experienced a unique way of praising God? How to express appreciation to our Creator? We’d love to hear all about it. Share it with us today!
