“David praised the Lord in the presence of the whole assembly, saying, “Praise be to you, Lord, the God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting.”  1 Chronicles 29:10.

The Bible includes a number of prayers that can guide our worship and serve as models for our own prayers. One of my favorites is found in chapter 29 of the Old Testament book of 1 Chronicles. The setting for this prayer is that God has firmly established David as king over Israel and now, near the end of his reign, David is collecting the resources needed for his son Solomon to build a temple for the Lord. Verse 10 (above) begins his prayer of dedication, and he continues in verses 11-13 as follows:

“Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.”

I love this prayer because it is framed in worship. David doesn’t come to God citing his own accomplishments, though they were great. Instead, he approaches God with humility, acknowledging God’s supreme greatness as the self-existent and eternal maker of heaven and earth. He bows in his heart before God as “the ruler of all things” and attributes his wealth and honor to the blessing of God.

By his prayer David leads the people of Israel away from complacency and self-satisfaction and toward dependence on God as the provider of “strength and power” and the giver of all good things. Like David, may we daily praise God for his greatness and for pouring his goodness and grace into our lives.

During this Christmas season, and all year ‘round, I encourage you to begin each day by praising God and acknowledging his sovereign authority over all creation—it’s a great way to start your day on the right foot.