The Fine Art of Paying Attention

Praise the LORD!

I will give thanks to the LORD

with my whole heart,

in the company of the

  upright in the congregation.

             Psalm 111.1

(Not a single meek voice,

but a resounding chorus

      of praise to God,

both heard

   and seen in our lives.

In those days,

each member participated

in giving thanks and praise,

and telling their stories

of who God is

    and what He has done.

Praise is not ignoring

   our struggles

or pretending we have

                    no needs,

but paying attention

   to what God is doing

   in our midst,

acknowledging Him,

       and knowing that

  the practice of praising God

        changes us.)

O LORD,

We are not just grateful,

but we are

      grateful to You.

May we contemplate

      Your goodness to us

and also make You known.

We give You thanks

     for our lives and days,

not merely believing in You,

     but knowing You are good,

even in what

       we don't understand.

Maybe especially in what

        we don't understand.

Let our praise to You

  change us all the way through.