It is clear from the Book of Romans, as throughout the Bible, that God wants us to praise Him. He does not need our praise, but we need to praise Him, as I discovered this morning waking from a muddled, busy dream and still talking to myself about it. I couldn't get my head out of the mess of the dream----until I started to praise God. Immediately, the silly dream left me, and my mind became peaceful and full of wonderful ideas.
Praise of God is for us, not for God, although He does delight in---and inhabit---the praises of His people (I'd have to look up the references for that). When we praise God, His Presence is with us, and in His Presence is joy (Ps. 16).
When we praise God, we recall with gratitude all that He has done. And that immediately takes our minds off whatever anxiety, fear, or concern is haunting our minds at the moment. And our whole body reacts with relaxation and security as we praise.
If praise does not come naturally to us, it helps to begin with one of the Psalms, reading it slowly and truly praying it to God, Who is present to us in our prayer and thanksgiving. Psalm 16 is a good one to begin with, as is Psalm 139.
Praise does not change God; it changes us. Sadness, confusion, fear cannot dwell in the same space with praise and thanksgiving. If we are not accustomed to praise, it might at first feel "fake," but it does take hold of us eventually and become "real." And then it changes our reality as it changes us:
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requsts to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable---if anything is excellent or praiseworthy---think about such things....And the God of peace will be with you (Phil. 4:6-8).
Peace is the result of praise.
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