“Man is created to praise, reverence, and serve God our Lord, and by this means to save his soul.” (St. Ignatius of Loyola)
“Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise.” (Jer 17: 14)
Read and Meditate on these Praise Psalms 148-149-150.
The goal in our spiritual life is union with God through prayer. Saint Ignatius highlights that the primary purpose of our existence on earth, as well as forever in heaven, is to PRAISE our Triune God. The Word of God is our light, our lamp, our guide, and a sure means to grow in prayer. What better Biblical passages can we choose than some of the Psalms! Indeed, the 150 Psalms, many attributed to King David, comprise one of the best prayer books that exists. Furthermore, many of the Psalms have as mode and purpose to praise God. Read through and pray these three Praise Psalms, and your heart and mind will be elevated on high! Then have recourse to the commentary so as to fill in some of the possible gaps in your prayer time with God who loves you beyond your wildest imagination!
1. Lift up your heart, mind, soul, and whole being to praise God who brought you into existence and maintains you in existence.
2. HIGHEST FORM OF PRAYER. Of all of the forms of prayer that exist, that of praise is the highest and the most sublime. Let these Psalms lift your whole being to praise your God and Creator.
3. ANGELS IN HEAVEN. The highest ranks of angels in Heaven before the throne of God are praising Him for all eternity.
4. UNITE WITH THE ANGELS. Unite your whole being with the angels to praise God: “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest.” (Sanctus) Do not be afraid to invite your Guardian Angel to come to your assistance in praising God. Beg the Archangels that are mentioned in the Bible to help you to praise God: Saint Michael, Saint Gabriel, and Saint Raphael. Indeed, we should have recourse to God’s friends in heaven to help us to praise God.
5. GOD IS WORTHY OF PRAISE, ADORATION, AND GLORY! Beg the saints, the true friends of God, to help you enter into a prayer of praise of God. Enter into conversation with Saint Joseph, Saint Ignatius of Loyola, and your favorite saints, and beg them to give you an attitude of praise.
6. SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI. The Canticle of the Sun composed by Saint Francis of Assisi can definitely help us to lift our hearts, minds, and souls to soar on high to praise God who alone is worthy of praise and adoration!
7. THE HOLY MASS AND PRAISE. Every time you attend the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, which is the greatest prayer in the universe, you are summoned to praise God. You might even take some prayer from the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and pray with that to help you praise God. For example, take the Gloria after the Penitential Act and utilize that powerful Liturgical Prayer to praise the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
8. THE DOXOLOGY IN THE MASS: A EUCHARISTIC TRINITARIAN PRAISE. When the priest lifts up the CONSECRATED HOST he prays or sings: “Through Him, and with Him, and in Him, O God, Almighty Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, for ever and ever.” AMEN!!! Without doubt, this can be one of the highest forms of praise. You are united with the angels in praising the Trinity as the Eucharistic Jesus is elevated on high!
9. PRAISE GOD IN SONG. Saint Augustine states: “He who sings, prays twice.” In the depths of your heart sing a song of praise to God your Creator who loves you so much. Do you have a spiritual hymn that is your favorite that can help you raise up your mind and heart in praise of God?
10. MARY TEACHES US TO PRAISE GOD THROUGH THE MAGNIFICAT. In this meditation, you can praise God through the Heart of Mary in the MAGNFICAT. (Lk 1:46-55)
The Magnificat of Mary…
My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has looked on the lowliness of His servant. For behold, from this day all generations will call me blessed, because He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. His mercy is from generation to generation to those who fear Him. He has shown the strength of His arm, He has scattered the proud in the conceit of their hearts. He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty. He has come to the help of His servant Israel, for He has remembered His promise of mercy, as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his children forever.
End your prayer time in a loving conversation with the Lord God and with Mary—Daughter of the Father, Mother of the Son, and Mystical Spouse of the Holy Spirit.
OUR LORD AND OUR GOD:
Lord God, you alone are worthy of praise, honor, glory, and adoration! I desire to know you, love you, and serve you, and to praise you now, tomorrow, and forever!
BLESSED VIRGIN MARY:
Mary, Mother of God and my Mother, teach me how to praise God in my prayer and by the way I live.
