Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD. Ps 150:6

God is worthy of all praise. He is worthy to be praised from all people and at all times. It is easiest to praise God when good things happen to us or our loved ones. But what about times when things don’t make sense, when we struggle, those times when suffering overwhelms, and life is not as sweet as in days gone by.  For many it may be difficult to press through the present pains and sufferings to praise God. We always have a reason to praise God and praise Him at all times. The scripture passage reminds us that “everything that hath breath…praise ye the LORD.” Praise Him as you breathe and with every breath. As precious is air to breathing so ought to be praise to God for sustaining life, especially in the dark times and in valleys. In the dark valley times, it can be difficult to even pray at all. It is during these times that the body of Christ is most known as others join in and help us pray when we cannot. So, when prayer is difficult and you can’t find words to pray, try praise. Pause, “be still” (Ps 46:10) and listen to your breath and be reminded “let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD.” Give Him thanks for the breath within our bodies, the air to breathe, the presence of mind to know and consider these things, for “every good and perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights” (Jam 1:17). Expressing gratitude opens us to the Spirit of God by faith. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seem” (Heb 11;1). Praise to God actives hope. Hope in the LORD.  Dear friend, praise Him for who He is, for what He does, and praise Him for what He has done for you and for others. And when you can’t find words, just breathe. For our breathings are prayers to God (Lam 3:56). My friend, pause for a moment and listen quietly as you breathe. Notice the breaths you breathe and reflect the goodness of God at every breath. Then you can say with all your heart “let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD.” Father thank You for You love and the breathes I breathe. Help me that even the breaths that I breathe, praise You. For You are worthy of all praise. In the blessed and holy Name of Jesus. Amen.