“There’s not much daylight between praising God and blessing him, but there is some. To praise — which comes from the Hebrew term halal (the root of hallelujah) — is a higher energy, community celebration of God’s greatness. Think: a Gospel choir singing, ‘You’re amazing!’ To bless, which comes from barakh, is more personal and specific. Think: a love letter thanking God for his goodness. Your life will be richer as you add both. It will also be better. God doesn’t need our praise or blessings. He instructs us to worship Him because: 1) it’s the only sane response to who He is; 2) because if we don’t, we’ll worship something lesser (and be the less for it); and because 3) it’s a first step to a life of meaning.”
—Mike Woodruff in The Friday Update
My prayer this week: I praise you, Lord, and bless your holy name. Fill my heart with worship for you — and let that worship fill my life with purpose. I want to bring you honor and glory with all I think, say, and do
