Praise is an expression of worship, adoration, and gratitude toward God. It’s something we talk about often, but if we’re honest, praise feels easier when life is good. And yet—when life was good, did we really find ourselves praising Him often?
I thanked God in my prayers and asked for His protection over my family, but I didn’t praise Him the way I do now. My praise in the storm has become intentional. At the beginning of our trial, I started setting aside time simply to be with the Lord. Eventually, that turned into creating a little “prayer corner” in our spare room—a place I go when I need to meet with Him.
We have an unwritten appointment every morning at 5:30 a.m. On the days when life gets busy and I miss it, I feel it. That quiet space has become a habit I look forward to—the stillness of the house, the outpouring of my emotions, the real and raw “Lord, please meet me here” time. And in those moments, I intentionally praise Him too.
When someone or something needs prayer, I write it on a sticky note and pin it to a corkboard shaped like a cross. When a prayer is answered, the note moves to the left side of the cross—a space set aside for thanksgiving. If a prayer goes unanswered and brings a depth of pain I don’t understand, it goes into my prayer journal, where I pray for clarity and comfort for those hurting. The remaining prayers stay on the cross—circled and lifted up again and again.
I keep the answered prayers nearby because I need those reminders of all I have to praise Him for. And I keep circling the others to remind myself to never give up—to lay those burdens at His feet and surrender them on repeat.
Sometimes when I read Scripture like Ephesians 2:8—
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.”
—I feel helpless. What do you mean I can’t do anything to earn Your favor? Lord, I need Your favor right now. I want to prove I’m worthy… please.
Those thoughts rush in during moments of panic. But then I’m remind myself: I serve a good God. No amount of striving determines His love for me. He knows my heart. His promises are true.
One of those promises is found in Isaiah 43:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you…
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned…
For I am the Lord your God.”
God reminds His people not to fear because He is with them. He promises to protect them through water and fire—through anything that threatens to overwhelm. And if you have asked God into your heart, then you too are His people. These promises are for you as well.
He is true to His word.
He is true to His promises.
He will never leave you.
He is faithful.
So if you find yourself praying but struggling to praise, try writing down the ways God has helped you—even the small ones. I think you’ll find you have reasons to praise Him too. As my dear friend who loved the Lord with her whole heart used to say:
“There is always something to be thankful for.”