Leader: Take the following phrases and cut them into individual strips of paper. Hand these out as your group members come in. If there are more phrases than group members, give each person 2 or more. Praise is not a thank you but an acknowledgement of who God is. Take time to praise God before you study about him, thank him, or petition him. We must constantly remind ourselves that God is awesome and glorious. When we do that, our hearts are molded to a way of living and loving.
Have your group take a minute and elaborate on what some of these phrases mean. You may say something like, "What does your phrase mean to you personally." OR, "If you really believed this phrase, how would you live your life differently?"
Lastly, take turns reading these phrases of praise out loud to the Lord. You may finish by praying a prayer of praise to God.
I praise you because …
I praise you because You are Wonderful … you are full of wonder.
I praise you because You are the Lion of Judah … you cannot be tamed.
I praise you because You are the I AM … . You are everything.
I praise you because You are the counselor … probing and guiding.
I praise you because You are the Creator … the maker of the heavens and the earth.
I praise you because You are Almighty … you have the power to heal the body and the mind.
I praise you because You are the Lord … good and fair and worthy of our labor.
I praise you because You are the Bread of Life … you sustain me and give me what I need to live each day.
I praise you because You are the Alpha and Omega … where I begin and where I end.
I praise you because You are my high place … I hide in your shadows and take rest in your strength.
I praise you because You are King of Kings … you are powerful and awesome … I must kneel in your presence.
I praise you because You are able … you are huge and you can do anything, anytime.
I praise you because You are the Deliverer … you have freed me from my oppressors.
