praying effectively: Serve the Lord With Gladness (Ps.100)

(Psalm 100:1-5)

 Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Serve the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful singing.
3 Know that the Lord Himself is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

4 Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name.
5 For the Lord is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting and His faithfulness to all generations.

Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will:
- that we gather together before God (100:2, 4)
- that we know the Lord Himself is God (100:3)
- that we go to worship Him with thanksgiving (100:4)
- that we give thanks to the Lord (100:4)
- that we go to worship Him with praise (100:4)
- that we bless the Lord's name (100:4)
- that we shout joyfully to the Lord (100:1)
- that we come before the Lord with joyful singing (100:2)
- that we serve the Lord with gladness (100:2)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for being a loving and kind God.  You are the great Shepherd!  You are the great Creator and faithful provider!  And You deserve all our praises and thankfulness.  You give us joy and gladness.  Please help us express that with excellence and boldness - to glorify Your precious and holy name.

Please fix my negative attitudes.  Please heal me and give me more energy.  Give me wisdom and direction as to how and where to all serve You.  And help me serve You with love, gladness and thankfulness.  Amen.